Definition of "thief-catcher" [thief-catcher]

• One who catches thieves, or whose business is to detect thieves and bring them to justice. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "What art thou thrusting that thief-catcher into my face for, man?"
• "Thom, seated across the lapis-inlaid table from the thief-catcher, looked as little the gleeman in his finely cut coat of bronze wool, as he did the man who had once been Queen Morgase's lover."
• "The thief-catcher glared at him, then bent to a furious study of the board."