The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-12-07

Of the United States unless a compro'
mise can be affected. She says he has
offered to furnish information and will
assist to break up the Miner gang OF
counterfeiters. If you will send me
special authority and a guarantee that
he will not be arrested l will go with
his sister and coax him to come to
New York. Please forward the pa
pers to me here at one
Yours respectfully, :,
LOUIS MERITO."
The case was an important one and
required my personal attention. If a
compromise could be made that
would result In the conviction Of such
men as Miner, l was anxious to make
1t. I 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 ] went
directly to the United States hotel,
where l met q thoroughly astonished
Italian. He was much surprised at
my unexpected appearance.
I soon learned enough to place me
In possession of the facts in the case
so far as the detective was concerned.
1 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. I found myself In the presence
Of a tall and stately young woman,
tastefully and fashionably dressed.
She held in her hand large fan which
she welded with consummate grace.
1 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, II
given an opportunity, put the govern
ment officers in a position to arrest a
number Of leading counterfeiters. She
did not know the particulars. but was
sure that her brother would, II 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. T.
What she said was quite reasonable,
and after questioning her for some
time l had about come to the conclu-
sion that her offer, II carried out as
promised, would be a good thing for
the government.
There were a number Of counter
feits then on the market and I was
exceedingly anxious to break up the
gang by arresting its leaders and. Sc
curing the plates. The Miner gang
had first and last cost the government
a considerable sum Of money. While
talking over the details Of the pro-
posed surrender I stepped to a win.
dow and raised the shade, upon which
the sun suddenly shone forth, lighting
up the room and casting its bright
rays fully upon the face Of the lady
before me. Drawing my chair a little
nearer and more in front of her 1 was
enabled to look her straight IN the
face. My ayes resting on hers seemed
to disconcert her. She blinked and
turned her head. I Strengthened up a
little and stared at her. She started
to rise.
Keep your seat" I commanded, In
an authoritative tone. s
At this moment I saw defiance
mingled with terror in her eyes. At
first I had noticed nothing in her ap-
pearance or actions to create suspi'
cion. AS was quite natural, she now
seemed excited. This might have
been attributed to a disturbed condi.
ton Of her mind on account OF the
actions Of her brother-,a natural Sc
uuence under the circumstances. She
again turned towards me and the sun
shone upon her face. I at once de.
tected the work of an artist skilled in
the use Of shades of paint. / noticed,
too, that her hair had not the glossy
appearance of natural growth. was
quite sure she vas in disguise.
Before this business goes any fur
ther," 1 said, g" want you to remove
your false hair and wipe the paint
and powder from your face"
AS I arose In front Of her she start.
ed up with an indignant glare and at
tempted to push me away. In a flash
I reached for her chignon. Giving 1t a
quick jerk, its 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 WasI
no more room for lodging. He began
peeling off layer after layer of his
feminine apparel. When he had fully
disengaged 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
requested to come into the room. l
handed him a pair of handouts and