The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-12-15

| cOunterfeiters. If you will send me
| special authority and a guarantee that
| he will not be arrested | will 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, I was anxious to make
it. l chose to superintend 1t 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 a thoroughly astonished
italian. He was much surprised at
my unexpected appearance.
l soon learned enough to place me
| in possession Of the facts In the case
! so far as the detective was concerned.
l then demanded 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. l 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 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.
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 q 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 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 little
| nearer and more in front OF her was
! enabled 10 look her straight In the
| face. My eyes resting on hers seemed
TO disconcert her. She blinked and
| turned her head. I Strengthened up
! little and stared at her. She started
to rise.
Keep your seat" I commanded, in
an authoritative tone.
At this moment 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
/ queuce under the circumstances. She
again turned towards me and the sun
shonc upon her face I at once de-
tected the work Of an artist skilled in
The use Of shades of paint. l noticed.
too, that her hair had not the glossy
/ appearance of natural growth. l was
quite sure she was in disguise.
Before this business goes any fur
Their" said, Il 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 fash
| reached for her chignon. Giving 1t
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 was
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
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 OF
a fascinating woman, 1t was not sur
prising that Brownie was able to dupe
| the detective AS gifted imper-