Marquette University High School - Flambeau Yearbook (Milwaukee, WI)

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.gg 45 I, ' HJ u ---'FTM'-BEAU-E E v Single Handed john F. Schaefer, '26 ITH a look of mixed amazement and delight Drew tumbled out of a large packing crate. Luck certainly seemed to be with him on this job. Only that morning he had obtained the position of watchman on the pier of the International Shipping Company. and already now he saw a vision of advancement, both in pay and respect. lIe had come to the dock early in the afternoon to acquaint himself with the surroundings. For a while he watched the busy scene on the slip where a freighter was discharging its cargo. Then he walked toward the huge warehouse. Soon he found him- self in a deserted lane between rows of cases. At one point he heard hoarse voices. Being of a naturally inquisitive dispo- sition he decided to investigate. Stealth- ily he climbed up the crates. Then he saw the source of the sounds. The boxes were not solidly packed, but here and there were spaces between. In one of these cavities he saw three men. They were deep in conversation, and with the same curiosity which prompted him to climb, he wormed his way over the boxes until he was with- in audible distance. An empty case seemed placed here just for his pur- pose. He crawled into it, and settled down to listen. W'hat he heard made him nervous. first with fear, and then with joyful anticipation. The men were discus- sing a plot to rob valuable silks which were being unloaded that day. Drew took in all the details of the conspiracy with open mouthed awe. Two o'clock 13 in the morning was the time set. He would be on duty then, and he would take care of the matter! VVhen the plotters departed he found himself lying on top of the pile with a peculiar feeling of exhilaration. Ile picked himself up and hurriedly de- scended to the level of the pier. He started toward the office on a run. He had been told to report any ir- regularity which he ran across. Sud- denly he stopped. VVhy should I report the plot ? he reflected. VVhy give some one else the credit for the capture? If I tell the boss, he'll take care of the matter. I can do it single handed. and if I do my success will be made. Thus he weighed the facts as to the ultimate outcome of the affair. and finally de- cided to remain silent. He turned and went back to the water's edge. He saw the cases of silk coming off the boat, and followed one of the trucks. He made sure of the location of the warehouse where the fabric was stored, and trying to look unconcerned he went in and ex- amined the interior. Then he went out and slowly walked to the entrance of the pier. At eight o'clock he gate for duty, and was admitted by the He received a the man whom reported at the man stationed there. brief instruction from he relieved, as to how he could call for help if he should require it. XYith wishes of luck, the man bade him good night, and left him alone. The section of the pier which he was to patrol, was out of sight of the gate- man and his office. He passed the

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1 ' 'ix sznue-gs-I , i K 4 warehouse where the silk was stored as he proceeded toward the end of the dock. Everything was dark, and he involuntarily pressed the revolver in his pocket. VVith a new feeling of security he passed on. The time passed very slowly indeed. He looked at his watch, held it to his ear, and decided that it must be cor- rect. The silence was complete except for the sound of the lapping of the sluggish water and of his own foot- steps. He thought out his method of pro- cedure. He would lie in wait in the warehouse for the robbers to arrive. He would allow them all to enter, and when they were inside and had closed the door, he would surprise them. He would cover them with his gun, move toward the door, slip outside, call for help, and in the morning receive a well deserved promotion. Such were his plans and such were his delightful thoughts on the future. One-thirty finally arrived. lt was time for himlto get busy. Silently he went toward the warehouse. VVith his keys he unlocked the door, stepped in- side. and locked it again. The dark- ness within was impenetrable. VVith the aid of his flashlight he found a hid- ing place in a broken case. Here he concealed l'llfl1S6lf,'ZlllCl began his vigil. His thoughts as he crouched there alone. were not of the immediate pro- ceedings, he considered them unques- tionably settledg but of the fortune which morning would bring him. A sudden jolt on the door startled him from his musings. He clutched his pistol and waited. Everything was again silent. He relaxed for an in- stant, but another jerk brought him quickly alert. He heard the lock drop on the outside. He raised his head above the case and saw the door slowly swing open. A man stepped inside. Three more followed closely. The door closed, and it was again dark. For several moments everything was quiet. Drew strained his ears and eyes, but his efforts brought him noth- ing. The difficulty of his position then dawned upon him-not only the difficulty, but also the danger. What was he to do? He had counted on a light to see his adversaries. As it was he could not see his hand before his face. Then he heard a steaithy move- ment. One of the men was coming toward his place of concealment. Drew clasped his weapon tighter, and set himself for a sudden spring. His contemplated action never took place. A light fiashed before his eyes. An exclamation of surprise reached his ears. In an instant the revolver was knocked from his hands, and the light went out. - Then he felt his arms pinned to his sides. He fought to free himself. but the grasp on his arms only tightened. He tried to scream but the sound re- mained in his throat. Then he felt a cool cloth against his face. and smelt the unmistakable odor of chloroform. He grew dizzry and sank to the floor. The last sound he heard was the low chuckle of his captors. VVhen Drew awoke he was puzzledg he was cold, he was sick. Slowly his mind reconstructed the events of the night. The box in which he lay had been overturned, and he could see the morning light streaming in through the chink in the door. Inside the ware- house everything was in confusion. Broken cases testified to the success of the thieves. Drew was exhausted. He did not yet fully realize the signifi- cance of the scene, and dropped off in a daze. When he recovered his conscious- 15