Mr. Fitler now made his appearance, as also Will’s friend, Joe the bootblack, whom he had notified to be present.
The magistrate proceeded to take evidence against the prisoners, but contented himself with that of the officers who had captured them, of Will, who recognized them as the men he had seen in the cellar, and the silent testimony of the rolls of cloth, which were brought into the room and identified by Mr. Leonard as his own property.
The four men were formally bound over for trial, and retired to their cells, glad to escape the fire of accusing eyes.
“This evidence is very conclusive,” said the magistrate, “so far as this single robbery is concerned. I presume you have other evidence relating to the past burglaries?”
“I have evidence that Jesse Powers was connected with the custom-house robbery, as also with forging my name at the bank,” said Mr. Leonard. “Do you gentlemen recognize that handwriting?” he asked, handing the scrap of the letter to his neighboring merchants.
“J. P.,” said Mr. Brown. “It is undoubtedly Jesse Powers. Who would have dreamed of that man being such a villain? I hope he has not been victimizing us in like manner.”
“You are safe enough,” said the detective. “He used your place as a safe passageway for the removal of goods from Mr. Leonard’s. He and Wilson between them have managed to remove those stones in the wall, and make an unsuspected passage. Is your lower cellar much used?”
“No, scarcely any,” said Mr. Brown.
“They could easily then hide their work, by filling the cracks of the stones with dirt after each operation.”
“Could have told you their game a week ago,” said Will, “only I wanted to nail them. I was locked into the cellar once before, the night I counted them Milton cloths. That’s why I was so particular about counting. I seen some chaps at work that night. Follered them down-stairs, but they gave me the slip afore I could track them. Didn’t want to say nothing till I had another show at them.”