The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-30

versatlon in his private once. He spoke
In the key OF casual taxi
"The Downing case was taken up by
us and we dispoged OF him., Chief Wilkie
began. 'In less than one week. / was
warned that George Downing, former
sailor on the cruiser Brooklyn. had en-
tered the Spanish spy service. he was 10
Gated on arriving in Toronto. When ne
went 20 pay his first call 10 the attachs
OF the Spanish Legation my man was
within carshot and heard every word
tina. raised between them. he heard all
or the Instructions Downing received.
and when Downing ielt inc room my
man met him as 81 by chance and asked
for a match TO light his cigar. He walk
ed with him TO the hotel office, got a good
look AT him. followed him % his hotel.
learned his assumed name, got tracing
Of his handwriting from the regste or and
later Swallowed him 10 the tram. Then ne
telegraphed me that Downing had left
for Washington on the O'Clock train.
sent me a full description OF him, and
when the train arrived here three OF my
boys spotted him. They followed him 10
a boarding house. where he LEFT his grip.
Then they followed him about town and
back 10 his house
After an hour or so he came out and
walked % the postoffice Nhen he drop
ped letter TO his Spanish employer in
Toronto through the pOstoiilce receiver.
the letter fell into the hands of one OF
my operatives and was brought at once
10 me, while the other operatives fol-
lowed Downing back 20 mis- boarding
house / opened the letter and upon
reading it communicated with the War
Department, which decided upon "A mill
tary arrest Soldiers were sent for, and.
taking Il few operatives with me, We went
10 Downing house. lie was s'il there
and we waited until the extlngui he'd lights
told MS that he had gone 20 bed.
Then" the chief continued. I'VE
Knocked az the front door. The mistress
OF the house thrust her head through the
window and declined 10 Jet m loo I'LL
threatened 20 break down the door Then,
very much frightened. she admitted us.
Leaving tho soldiers below. / took two
OF my men. and bidding the lanilady go
before. went mp 20 his door ] babe the
landiady knock and tell Downing that
some friends from Chicago wanted 10 see
him. She could leave the rest 90 me.
She did so. Downing bit AZ once. aud
wilted like an iclcle on the Washington
pavement I'm July. Entering his room we
found his effects. the cipher ne was 20
use in telegraphing 10 his spanish en-
p'oycr. some destroyed correspondence. 10
fact. everything necessary 10 make ont
perfect case. lie never recovered from
his collapse. he had brains enough 10
see that 90 was AN mp with him. We
turned him over 20 the soldiers. who
took him 10 the military prison. and there.
after o severe attack OF melancholia, he
committed suicide by hanging
During times OF peace the secret ser
vice is engaged in looking after criminals
who take 10 counterfeiting for q living.
That pursuit in itself is spicy enough IN
variety. But the demands OF war lend adj
diuonal bite 90 the spicy quality m the
service. Shortly after the Spanish Lega-
ton left Washington the War Department
received numerous reports concerning
Spanish Spies and asked Chief Wikie
% look after them. President Mckinley
placed 5000 10 wilkes credit ana later
$4,000 more. 10 carry on his operations.
He was thus enabled 20 secure . large
and competent force 10 cover the country
thoroughly. and with the knowledge that
there is plenty more money where the
last came from.
Chief Wilkie is naturally disinclined 20
speak Of the operations OF the secret SER
vice ""iiIH 'il' wal At-'t 'N' Wal l9
over. he says. there will be- a number Of
good stories for publication But when
as. for instance. az present. he has one
man in a band of Spanish cutthroats in
the South who think that ne is one of
them. and who would slit his throat in am
instant We're they ever 10 suspect him. o.
is not wise to the service or fair TO the
man in question 10 mention the case or
for similar reasons. 90 say anything OF
others