"Is this the Central Detectives' Office?" I ask of the helmeted patrol.
"Yes, sir. This 'ere is the Central Hoffis of the City of Lunnun; the hother hoffis is down Scotland-yard way in Parliament street, hopposite the Hadmiralty and the 'Oss Gy-a-ads."
I find my way past the patrol, and around me I can see a court-yard fifty by a hundred feet in size, and at either side a gas-lamp burns dimly, and the wind whistles down from above, and the rain patters unceasingly.
RELICS OF CRIME.
It is like a play-ground or school-yard, but there is in it the quietness of a deserted church. Turning to the right, I ascend two steps and enter a hall, where another morose-looking patrolman demands my business.
"Who do you want to see, sir? Oh, Hinspector Bailey. Well, sir, he is werry busy just now; got a precious 'ard case to desect; but I'll take your card and I'll try wot I can do."
In a few minutes I am ushered into the presence of the chief detective officer of the chief city of England. He sits in a room secluded from the main rooms, and as I pass through a number of these chambers a squad of men, who are sitting on chairs and lounges, look up at me quietly for a second, and, not recognizing any one whom they "want," drop their eyes immediately. The room in which Inspector Bailey sits is not a large one, and there is no superfluity of furniture, but the walls are covered with placards offering rewards for the apprehension and conviction of criminals, murderers, forgers, and other runaways from justice. Some of these are so curious that I must give a few of them:
RING STOLEN—£1 REWARD.
A reward of £1 will be paid for information that shall lead to the discovery of a gold ring, the setting in which was originally arranged for a round stone, with about five small teeth or holders to fix the same; the original stone having been lost it was replaced by an oval or pear-shaped rose diamond, which was loose in the setting.
The said ring was stolen from a warehouse in the city, on the 14th inst.; and it is requested that any person hereafter offering it, for pledge or sale, may be detained until the police are informed.
Information to Inspector Bailey, City of London Police, Detective Office, 26 Old Jewry: or to the officers on duty at any of the city or metropolitan stations.
£1 10s. REWARD.
TO CAB-DRIVERS, ATTENDANTS, AND OTHERS.
INFORMATION WANTED.
On Saturday, the 17th of April, 1869, about 4.45 in the afternoon, a four-wheeled cab, took up at Messrs. Smith, Payne & Co.'s Bank, at the end of King William street, near the Mansion House, a gentleman, 48 years of age, 5 feet 8½ inches high, dark brown hair, fresh complexion, scanty whiskers, square build, and moderately stout; with a dark-brown portmanteau, which was put inside. He told the driver to take him to Finsbury square and he would tell him the number afterwards. £1 10s. reward will be paid on the required information (as to his destination) being given to Inspector Bailey, City of London Police, Detective Department, Old Jewry, E.C.
London, 8th May, 1869.
£200 Reward.
EMBEZZLEMENT.
Absconded, on Friday, the 5th inst., from the employment of the Great Central Gas Company, 28 Coleman street, London, Benjamin Higgs, late of Tide-End House, Teddington, Middlesex. Description.—About 35 years of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, black hair, mustache, whiskers, and beard, pale complexion, slender build, gentleman-like appearance. Generally dressed in black or dark clothes and brown overcoat. Had a large-sized dark green-colored leather bag and a small black bag.
The said Benjamin Higgs is charged on a warrant with embezzling a large sum of money belonging to the above company: and notice is hereby given, that a reward of £100 will be paid to any person who will give such information as shall lead to his apprehension; and a further reward of £100 on recovery of the monies embezzled. A photograph of Benjamin Higgs may be seen on application at the principal police stations.
Information to be given to Messrs. Davidson, Carr, and Bannister, Solicitors, 22 Basinghall street, E.C., or to Inspector Bailey, City of London Police, Detective Department, 26 Old Jewry, E.C.
London, 18th March, 1869.
"So you would like to see London under its most unfavorable aspects. You would like to scour it by day and night, Sir. Well, you have a big job on hand, let me tell you, Sir," said a cheery voice which came from behind a low desk. This was Inspector Bailey, a very English-looking gentleman, with a ruddy oval face, reddish whiskers,—thick and neatly trimmed, and wearing a dark-mixed suit of clothes. He had clear blue eyes, this cheery-voiced inspector, and did not in any way give the idea of a detective, he looked so jolly and well-fed, and there was such a humorous, good-natured, twinkle in his eyes.
MR. FUNNELL'S SECRET.