The San Francisco call., 1906-09-30

called on Chief Barnes TO help
him to check the wholesale
smuggling over the border between
Mexico and the Unlted states.
Two weeks later the old man strohed
into Tucson. ostensibly for a change Of
air" but in reality to set the lay of the
land before proceeding to the scene of
action. Clancy was with him. of course,
and was SO delighted with the climate
and scenery that he wanted TO settle
there for the remainder Of his life.
The trouble came about through the
smuggling of expensive Mexican laees.
which found their way across the bor-
der and eventually into Fifth avenue
without enriching the Government al
Washington. The local collector was
almost frantic in his helplessness. lie
said very truly that ii was impossible
for him TO properly guard the wild,
limitless Mexican border His handful
Of inspectors covered the most tra-
versed sections and arrested many
suspicious characters. but all without
result. Drawn work" exquisite tides,
lace insertions and other sixty per
cent goods" continued 10 evade duty
and crowd the American markets.
Barnes finally made his way to
Punxatawney and the Collector was so
glad TO see him that he hugged him.
once on The ground. the chief did not
appear in any hurry 10 begin opera
tions He went out DAY after day.
sometimes with Clancy and sometimes
without him. Occasionaliy he tramped
about the town on foot; sometimes he
used a bicycle OF hired carriage. The
local officials thought he was having a
good time at Government expense, and
wondered when he woald get down 70
business But all the time he was
actually al work following eat his own
plans with the persistence of pointer
after a pheasant. One afternoon ne
dropped into the custom-house foF a
chat
ManE tourists visiting Mexico
now he Queried casually
Thicker than white nice" replied
the Collector Looks as il Mexico had
been discovered again.
Makes work for yoag said the
chief. suggestveiy.
More than We can handle, was the
aespondent reply
By the wag. I notice. number Of
tomobiles crossing the border-one,
specially. win q parple body
oh Thai belongs to Nile. Felieia5'
Barnes arched his brows. The Col
sctoy explained.
shes wealthy Mexican woman
spending the winter in Arizona, and
has fad for moonlight rides in her
purple machine
Barnes did not prolong the converse
tion. Ten minutes later he arranged TO
meet clancy al dusk at tho new road
crossing the border into Punxatawney.
What's the sames" asked CLANCY. as
he reported at the appointed hoar.
A purple motor car. replied the
chief Il want you to stop it and leave
the rest for me-
Time hung heavy on the two men
even under the poetic glamour OF the
Southern skies. Minutes seemed hours
interest. whizzed by Barnes, as usual
was silent, Clancy loquacIous. Pres
entity the peculiar whizz of a motor car
was heard. Both men strained their
eyes in the gathering gloom TO distin-
Euish the color OF the machine. 1t was
the purple auto. Clancy ran TO the
middle Of the road pulled a red hand
kerchief from his pocket and waved it
working his arms ike a windmill. The
car came closer until it was within a
few yards when
Halt" shouted Clancy in the voice
that had brought many a smuggler Il
terms
peal Of merry iaughter-the rrp-
pling sound OF a woman's siIrery voice
foated out on the night air. The ma.
chine swerved frem its course not 50
much as hairs breadth nor paused In
its flight. Clancy. prudent as well a,
brave. jumped aside in time to save hi.
valuable life 10 the Government Tn,
edge OF the car grazed his clothing. ane
the suction and his sudden leap asid,
threw him in heap at the roadside
The machine was a nile away. Tn,
next minute il disappeared.
Clancy's FIRST impulse was to swear
He compromised with an ironical laugh
Barnes. irritsted at being put in a ride
ulous position, simply stared al hi
assistant
Tn not a bowling success. am ~
shouted the Irishman. jumping an,
brushing the dust from his clothing
well. when ] entered the customs
didn't think I'd be called on to stoy
crazy motor cars. What / need is :
few weeks practice with freigh
trains
The chief smiled in spite Of his cha
grin.
The lady viii live to regret hel
cleverness7
Regret her eIeserness?~ echoed
clancy wondering if the old man wa.
wandering.
Yes. retorted Barnes no one
man or woman-can defy tho Govern.
nent long