Batman#104(1956)

Batman and Robin nab a pair of John Varden's hoods using a bazooka to loot a bank. The captured criminals refuse to rat on their elusive boss, but let slip the fact that Varden plans a big operation soon. To trap the gang leader, Batman and Robin hatch a plan and the next day, Batman and Robin patrol the rooftops of Gotham City in plain sight, drawing the attention of a crowd of reporters, among which is Thaddeus Crane, a detective from upstate who has come to study Batman's and Robin's crimefighting methods. Crane climbs to a roof top to interview the dynamic duo, and catches Batman with his cowl off, in the process of changing to Bruce Wayne. Thaddeus Crane announces to the reporters that he knows Batman's secret identity, and Batman and Robin admit they will have to guard him to keep it secret. Crane is hired by the chairman of a camera show featuring a huge camera as an exhibit to protect the exhibit, and a movie company president to guard his bejeweled star Laura Lee. Though Varden's mob strikes in both places, Batman and Robin thwart their efforts and make it seem as if Thaddeus Crane overcame the crooks. John Varden's mob eventually cons Crane into their clutches, and he meets with the mobster, though he steadfastly refuses to reveal Batman's identity. But Batman and Robin, who have used Crane (with his permission) as bait for their trap, break in and defeat Varden and his gang. Crane later announces he is leaving Gotham, and disappears forever. But, in the Batcave, it is revealed that Crane was in fact Alfred, Batman's butler, whose middle names are Thaddeus Crane and they planned everything from the beginning in order to capture the crooks.