The Washington times., 1908-12-13

this happened at 2 time when 1 was
less careful as 70 the enterprises with
which I associated my name. 1 may
state that 1 first heard OF the Santa
Teresa nine. il J am not mistaken,
from a casual acquaintance by the
name OF Bailey"
Bailey Miller. and Ferguson were
the promoters of the scheme" con-
iirmed the inspector with glance at
his report
Thank you. Yes, 1 think I can re-
call the matter perfectly now They
told me they had acquired a promising
prospect down there, and asked me to
go into il with them and help float a
company. Upon their representations.
I eventually put up some money and
received $4,000 worth Of the stock"
''H oU stu retain an INTEREST,""
''Oh, dear, no I very soon saw that
the scheme was hanging fire for some
reason, and as I was expecting 70 re
move to New York. disposed OF m.
holdings. That is the extent OF my con
nection with the proposition. all thai
l can tell you, except he pauscc
abruptly and bit his lip.
Except what2" Atr. Spencer.
Nothing. Tha. IS. nothing authen-
t. Ai1 hear a month or so ago thai
the project had been revived, and that
the stock on the strength Of reported
new finds was being ind1striously ped
died; but l have no personal knowl-
edge in the premises, and dislike (,
repeat hearsay."
HIM" The inspectors cultural ejac-
ulation might have meant anything or
nothing.
"To whom did you. sell your hold
ings?' he queried after a moment g
pause.
James d Harrison, Of Chicago. I
observation-disclosures l am again guilty
Of rehearsing rumor-that he is mainly
responsible for the stocks recent activ-
ity. At any rate, can well believe It
true; for he is a pushing fellow. and ]
am confident stiu retains his interest
The inspector made a note in pencil
upon the edge OF his report
DO you know anything about Har-
Ttson's resources, or methods OF busi-
ness?' he asked.
NO, I have had no relations with
him since the transaction OF which
spoke; Yet, strangely enough, 1 did
hear something about him from a mu-
tual friend only this morning. He Z.
ia New York. it seems, and acting
very peculiarly"
Acting pecuIarIyg"
Yes, as though he had some weight
or apprehension Of trouble on his mind
mutual friend, / mean-deem-
ed II the result of speculation: but, /
can hardly credit that. 1t seems to me
But, Dshaw." He broke of with a
,rown' L am taking UP your time gos-
5iDing, Mr Inspector. We were dis
Nothing, snapped the inspector.
starr Spencer looked at him in sur
prise.
II beg your pardon" lie remarked
thought You were questioning me In
egard to the Santa Teresa gold mine
Exactly with a quick wave Of the
han", "and, that is-nothing, No
smart no workings, not even a pros
pect; merely the conception Of a dar-
ing and INSCRIPTIONS imagination, a
bait TO catch suckers"
Spencer seem u thuuderstruck-
And was roped in on prcposi-
ton Ike that" he muttered. q was
certainly lucky TO get out, eren at
less"
'Ch. I don't know" The :nsaector
spoke sarcastic lly. 'The people who
stayed In seem 10 have made II prett,
profitable.
Look at that" He reached into a
and flung out an enticinE-
ly worded pamphlet for the others
Inspection. There's the prospectus
of their precious comrany. Full de-
scription Of property. government as
say office report, dividends Of at least
> per cent month positively guaran-
teed, and not a word of truth in il
from beginning to end
Il tell you, Ar. Spencer" he ex-
DlOded, sit is the most gigantic swim
die Of the age. For six months now
the mails have been flooded with this
thing, and il is estimated that not
less than a million dollars has been
raked in from dupes all over the
country.
1--WE are sis ing the thing to the
bottom, though" he concluded, "and
the man who has engineered il may
look for the stifest kind Of a SEN
tence If as you intimate, this Harri-
son is the responsible party, no Won
der he seems apprehensive. BY the
way, you say he is n New York?
Where is he StaUping?"
Il do not really know; but I can
find out for you within an hour. II
will not be necessary, though the
inancier added hastily. "to call me as
witness at any stage Of the pro
,eeGings- viii il, Mr.. Inspector?
know nothing, as you can see for
yourself; and one naturally disikes
to be mentioned in connection with
such a scandal"
The Inspector pOndered a moment
NO, I guess we can do without you"
ne finally decided.
''Ah, thank you. I will send you the
address You wish
And with that ne bowed himself
,uavely from the room. Isut once out
n the street again, M. Starr Spencer
Dreathed something no unlike a sigh
IF relief, and although it vas by no
means warm day, mopped his brow
freely with his handkerchief
Arriving at his own office, too, he let
III his important callers wait until he
lad entered the sOund-proof telephone
oooth and held an extended long-dis-
ance conversation with some one in
Chicago.
Then, his usual jaunty air quite re-
stored he came out and Jared forth