Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-27

re puzzled than alarmed, I called my mate
was for pulling down the box, but for some
son would not permit it. Deciding to trace the
t wire had discovered, we started slowly in the
ection it led. 1t passed through an auger hole
the floor into closet in the basement kitchen.
ence it passed up through the wooden casing of
ceiling. Calculating that the wire would strike
a certain place on the front stairway, we went to
spot and after moments search, found where
came through at one of the steps. From there
wire ran along under the carpet until suddenly
turned and disappeared through the wooden
nels that lined the wall. With start, recog-
ed it as the spot where both the counterfeiters
acted so strangely. Then / began to examine
the woodwork carefully.
1t was old fashioned house with ornately
carved holdings, and the general scheme in
cluded rows OF fancy roSetteS with of
knob in the center of each. One of these knobs
seemed different from the rest, and examination
showed that it was really skifully inserted
push button. was confident that l had
stumbled on important discovery and sew
eral times impelled to give the knob an
investigating push. But the hand of Fate
must have held me back that night, because
l fought down the temptation until l knew
part of the night tracing out the other wires,
and found they led to various parts OF the
house, where invariably they terminated in
push buttons.
Unearthing the Plot
A T daylight l te1ephoned my discovery TO
"A headquarters, and about two hours later
the chief came over, accompanied by an agent
skilled in chemistry and electricity. After we
had shown what we had unearthed the agent
carefully examined the box in the cellar and
then severed the wires. With extreme he
carried the box to the basement and there
screwed the top. Inside was piece o. delicate
mechanism and large can. He grew pale as
he examined the contents.
Whats the matter?" asked the chief.
"Ntroglycerin," was the trembling reply,
and enough of it to blow up the whole block
Brockway's case was rushed to trial; but
through motives OF policy which | am not at
liberty to explain the nitroglycern plot was
kept out of evidence. Judge Benedict sentenced
him to ten years imprisonment This was
comparatively light sentence, considering his
record. The fact that he turned over hidden
plates to the Government accounts for that.
Eight years before he had been convicted and
received sentence of thirty years which was
suspended upon his agreement to reveal the
whereabouts of many plates. Three of the gang
captured with him received five years each. The
Others, including go betweens" and showers"
were liberated upon turning States evidence.
Brockway upon leaving prison was more than
seventy years of age.
Even after his liberation the old man was
re or less active in his profession. followed the
eer of Brockway with interest until, with increas
age, his activities diminished and he practically
;sed out of sight. l saw him several years ago.
was a broken down old man, shabby and I'M
npt with no traces OF the man of wonderful
ource and genius who had wasted life that
ght have been of great benefit to the world.
me months later | told he was living in
all cottage near Kings Highway, Long sIsland,
ich belonged to his wife.
While modern methods have enabled counter
ers to produce more skilful work than Brockway
some respects, he will always stand out in GRIM
! history as 1.-The King OF Counterfeiters."