A Dalmatian Detective

  The Wonderful Exploits of a Member of the London Police

One of the most remarkable of the London police is Druskowitz. No one looking at the short, blond-mustached and rather dandified young man would suspect him of being the cleverest of detectives. He is about thirty-four years old, but looks less. His father was a Dalmatian. He himself speaks any number of languages, and is thus nearly always sent abroad where any case occurs in a non-English speaking country needing the services of an English detective. In London his special work is among the foreigners, who go there as fugitives from justice. It is generally found that such persons betake themselves to special localities. Usually they lie hiding for a few days, but they soon find it impossible to remain in-doors any longer; and so, having shaved off their beards, if they had one, or putting on a false beard if they had formerly shaved, and wearing a wig and spectacles, they sally forth at night, and, being in want of amusement, they betake themselves to the Alhambra. That is a favorite resort of foreigners in London, and Druskowitz is therefore a frequent visitor there. He appears much interested by the performance, but his thoughts are elsewhere. He is watching some one individual in the audience, follows him when he leaves, tracks him to his hiding place, and then sets to work to find out who he is. Woe to the man who really is a criminal if Druskowitz be on his trail. There is little chance for him. Druskowtiz has an extraordinary moral influence over criminals; it is something like that of the rattlesnake upon the bird. He carries no arms, yet he does not fear to go up to an armed and desperate man and arrest him; and, though armed and desperate, he succumbs. Druskowitz was engaged nine years ago in a remarkable case. In 1866 Vital Douat, a Bordeaux wine merchant, went to Paris and insured his life for a… Read More