The Washington times., 1902-12-28

armed burglar through a deserted street
on a moonlight night breath OF sus-
piciOn In searching fOr the guilty ones
would mean failure.
For nearly two years this gigantic work
Of web weaving was continued under the
personal supervision Of Chief Willde AT
the end Of that time the search had mar
r0wrd down TO three citfcs-New York
Chicago. and Philadelphia-and in each
OF these places a dozen or more Secret
Service operators. under three Of the
shrewdest OF his assistants, continued the
work.
Discovered in Philadelphia.
The FIRST discovery Of Importance was
made in Philadelphia. and st-=ularly
enough was made exactly as Chief
Wilke had expected It might be. One
OF the points TO which the attention
of those making the investigation was
directed was to. ascertain 81 any new
engraving shops had been opened with
In q short time previous TO January.
1897 when the first notes were circulat-
ed and whether their pr0prietOrs had
apparently done q nOurishing business,
as shown by their improved personal
appearance. surroundings. and display
OF ready money.
In January. 1888 just two years after
the search began. it was reported TO
the head Office in Washington that an
engraving shop owned by Baldwin S.
Bredeu a young American. and Arthur
Taylor, a young Englishman. had been
in existence since 1886. And further
more. that the young proprictors had
an the appearance OF prosperity. as in
r., . FThawarrr.Hr fTnnf
". J. Burns. one Of the ablest men In
the Secret Service. was sent to Phila-
delphia to investigate.
His m0dus Operandi was simplicity IT,
SELF. Having a vacant room on the
fourth floor OF a building on the opposite
side OF the street he was able, by the
aid or powerful field glasses. 10 get
occasional glimpses Of the interior or
the workshop opposite. It was slow
work. and only possible when the sun
light was in the right direction and
he window blinds up But by the e1-
ercise OF a little patience Captain Burns
was rewarded or, rather. so impressed
with the result OF his observations. that
ne decided to make a closer eNamina-
ton
Locks. bolts. and bars soon fly asuudcr
20 operatives Of the United States Secret
Service, and when, after several weeks.
/ Captain Burns decided upon a midnight
raid on the engraving Office Of Bredell
& Taylor. the thing was accomplished.
What he discovered on entering more
than recompeused him for the TWO years
patient search. Plates for every de-
nomination Of bill from twenty dollars
upward were found.
The Plant.
The most perfect counterfeiting Of
fee ever organized lay exposed. Press
{ es. dies. rollers. plates, ensrayers' tools.
I acid baths. every minute detail for the
equipment Of modern engraving shop
was there
One after another Captain Burns took
/ I'D and examined the objects before him.
making careful note Of everything be
touched. and replacing it exactly as he
found t. Bot one plate be came across
al first somewhat mystifed him. IL was
/ the engraving OF an lnlsid revenue stamp
such as are used on cigar boxes, perfect
/ IN the miuutest detail, just as the coun,
tcrfeit band on the plate was perfect
leaving everything exactly as be found
Iit. Captain Burns left the Office 10 its
Z midnight solitude. and AZ once dispatch-
4 cd cipher message TO Chief v like mo-
tfying him Of the discovery.
Placing a shadow on the two men com
prising the firm was the frst car OF thu
Secret Service men when Tay 'or reach
ed their office next morning LL found
everything exactly as they had LEFT g..
mot a plate out of its place. and proceed
cd with their usual work. they little sus-
pected that q dozen OF the keenest Secret
Service men were watching their every
move. day and night. awake or asleep.
. In the street. on tho cars I'm church at
/ their meals. al the thcater. anywhere
/ and everywhere Each OF these men was
/ thenceforth ncvcr out of range OF at
] least two pairs OF watching eyes. Did
/ they speak to anyone give anyone a mes
sage. send a parcel anywhere. that per-
son or that parcel was dOgged TO his or
/ its destination ana the subject OF the
message or cc1tcIts OF the package made
known TO Ch.C Wilhe an hour after
/ For weeks the persistent. tirelo8s
watch v-- maintained, one operator