St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-12-17

mise can De duSCteQ. Sue says lie mas
offered to furnish information and will
assist to break up the Miner gang of
counterfeiters. If you will send me
special authority and guarantee that
he will not be arrested viii go with
his sister and coax him to come to
New York. Please forward the pa
pers to me here at once.
Yours respectfully,
LOUIS MERITO."
The case was an important one and
required my personal attention. If
compromise could be made that
would result in the conviction of such
men as Miner, was anxious to make
it. l chose to superintend it myself.
and the next train that left for Bos-
ton took me with it. When l arrived
there on the following morning l went
directly to the United States hotel,
where l met thoroughly astonished
Italian. He was much surprised at
my unexpected appearance.
in possession of the facts in the case
so far as the detective was concerned.
l then demanded a personal interview
with Miss Brownie, which was soon
arranged. After introducing me to
the lady, Merito retired from the
room, as had been previously agreed
upon. found myself in the presence
of tall and stately young woman,
tastefully and fashionably dressed.
She held in her hand large fan which
she welded with consummate grace.
found her fully posted on the nature
of my business Inviting me to be
seated, she began the conversation
and explained to me her proposed trip
to Montreal, where she hoped to
meet her brother, Thomas Brownie.
She had learned through a friend that
her brother was anxious to quit
counterfeiting and that he could, il
given an opportunity, put the govern
ment officers in position to arrest a
number Of leading counterfeiters. She
did not know the particulars, but was
sure that her brother would, if per-
mitted to return to New York, render
the government important service.
She said that her father had nearly
lost his mind on account of the action
of his son and that he was ready to
undergo almost any sacrifice and pay
any reasonable sum of money for the
purpose of saving his boy
What she said was quite reasonable,
and after questioning her for some
time / had about come to the conclu-
sion that her offer, if carried out as
promised, would be a good thing for
the government
There were a number of counter.
feits then on the market and l was
exceedingly anxious to break up the
gang by arresting it's leaders and Sc.
had first and last cost the government
a considerable sum of money. While
talking over the details of the pro.
posed surrender 1 stepped to a win.
dow and raised the shade, upon which
the sun suddenly shone forth, lighting
up the room and casting it's bright
rays fully upon the face Of the lady
before me- Drawing my chair little
nearer and more in front of her 1 was
enabled to look her straight in the
face. My eyes resting on hers seemed
to disconcert her She blinked and
turned her head. / Strengthened up
little and stared at her. She started
to rise.
Keep your seat" I commanded, in
an authoritative tone.
At this moment l saw defiance
with terror in her eyes. At
first l had noticed nothing in her ap
pearance or actions to create suspt
cion. AS was quite natural, she now
been attributed to disturbed condi
ton of her mind on account of the
actions of her brother-a natural So
quence under the circumstances. Sha
again turned towards me and the sun
shore upon her face. I at once de-
tected the work of an artist skilled in
the use of shades Of paint. I noticed.
too, that her hair had not. the glossy
of natural growth. l was
quite sure she was in disguise.
Before this business goes any fur
ther," l said, II want you to remove
your false hair and wipe the paint
and powder from your face"
AS 1 arose in front of her she start |
ed up with an indignant glare and at |
tempted to push me away. In flash
l reached for her chignon. Giving it
quick jerk, it's fastenings gave way
and it rolled on the carpet. There
was no longer any use for conceal |
ment Thomas Brownie stood before
me. The game was up. There wal
no more room for lodging. He begar
peeling off layer after layer of his
feminine apparel. When he had fully
himself from his dress
makers outfit he opened his travelling
bag and proceeded to clothe himself
in masculine attire.
Merito, who had during this inter
view remained in the hall, was now
to come into the room.
handed him a pair of handouts and
Brownie Immediately put up his hands
to receive them. He was completely |
done for and offered no further re
sistance.
In taking the trip on the steamer
Providence" and playing the part ol
a fascinating woman, it was not sur
prising that Brownie was able to dup(
the detective. AS gifted fmper
senator he could reproduce to nicely
the tones and nodulations of the de
tective's voice His description and
imitation Of the impassioned love
scene that took place between himself