The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-02-15

IAoI uoy. Mloo VOOOS udu Uceu III an
adjoining room and through con-
cealed speaking tube had heard every
word of the conversation, had taken
it down, and later gave Col. Cheney
the transcribed report. He went over
it very carefully and then filed it away
properly briefed. A full record was
kept of every case handled by Col.
Cheney or his men. He came to the
conclusion it was an inside case,"
that is to say, the stealing was done
by some one on the inside who was in
the pay or power of an outsider or a
gang. This was the theory on which
he would work. First he wanted to
find out what progress the st. Louis
force was making. He wanted their
theories and ideas. Already he knew
the express company's side of the
case. Cheney was firm believer in
cooperation, where the parts cooper
ating were harmonious. His relations
with the police departments of the
various cities were most cordial and
when he appeared in Chief Landing
hams office in St. Louis the next
morning he was we'll received.
What case are you on now, colo
nel?" asked the chief.
THAT 100000 express robbery" re-
piled Cheney.
The chief was interested at once.
"The express robbery, Ell? Well, it's
a damned puzzling case, Cheney, and
I'm not sorry you're on it. You can
depend on my cooperation
II know that, chief, and that's why
I came to you. Who have you working
on the case now? I mean actively"
Of course Cheney knew Darrell was
doing the work, but he didn't want the
chief to know he knew it.
II put Darrell at work as soon as
the express company notified me of
the robbery You know Darrell, don't
you, Cheney"
Eyes, have heard of him. Has he
made any progress?'
"Not much, although he's worked
pretty hard"
MAY l see his reports?" asked
Cheney.
Certainly" said the chief, handing
Cheney package of papers which
were lying on his desk. 1--WE just
been reading Them
'Tll want to study these papers
awhile. May take them to the hotel
with me? I'll bring them back to you
in the morning."
"All right, colonel; and if you want
any further help, let me know"
Cheney walked to the old Planters
hotel, where he was very we'll known,
went to his room and denied himself
to everybody. barrels reports were
spread out in front of him and he went
over them several times, making
mental note here and there. The only
item that stood out prominently was
that certain RED" Michelon was in
st. Louis the day the money disap-
peared, but he had not been seen
there since. barrels theory was that
Michelon was implicated in the rob-
berry. Michelon was an all around
high class crook. In number of for
mer robberies similar to this one he
had played prominent part and on
two occasions had done time for his
shortcomings. It was known that
Michelon had confederates in several
places who were ever ready to help
him in his nefarious works. Cheney
knew all this before he read Darrels
report, and the theory looked like a
plausible one. Cheney also knew
Michelon by sight and his photograph
was in his Chicago Rogue's Gallery.
Every police department in the coun-
try knew Michelon, and his move
ments were recorded and reported
from time to time. The last Cheney
had heard of him he was in New York
and was keeping pretty we'll under
cover. His health was reported as
breaking down. These things caused
Cheney to ponder deeply.
"Was Michelon really here on that
day? Darrell said in his report he
heard he was,'' Cheney asked himself
1T won't be hard matter to find
out" he soliloquized. "This is Thurs
day. I ought to have an answer by
Tuesday next. I'll write McCarren:
he can tell me" McCarren was chief
of the New York detective force.
Cheney wrote the letter, asking If
McCarren knew where Red" Michel
on was on the day (naming the date)
of the express robbery. After mailing
the letter Cheney busted himself in
vestigating Catlin, Daniels, Chadwick
and the other man. He merely veri-
fed Van Colts report about them.
Chadwick and his friend were above
reproach. Catlin, too, notwithstand-
ing his previous experiences, was
apparently living a decent life. He
was married and resided in Kirkwood.
Daniels, the other clerk referred to by
Van Colt, was good dresser, unmar.
ried and boarded way out on Pine
street. He had only been in the St.
Louis office about three months, hav.
ing come from Denver. His salary
was but $65 per month, and he an.
peared to live up to it.
The next day (Friday) Cheney went
to the express Office. Van Colt re-
ceiVed him graciOuslv. and rendered