The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-09-19
The

BY JOHN TURNLEE

John Roelf, detective, was called
upon by the manager of the Third Ma
tional bank to ferret out the perpe-
traitors OF spurious ten dollar bills on
their bank. He began by making a
thorough examination of the bills. 1t
would seem that good engraver could
make duplicate of any bank bill that
would be practically perfect. But no
matter how much care he puts on 1T
there will be differences. On these
bills there was miniature likeness Of
the then secretary of the treasury
There was difference between the
valid and spurious pictures In the right
nostril, the left eyebrow and a line
running between the nose and the left
cheek.
But this was of no moment to the
detective except to enable him to spot
one of the counterfeits when he saw 1t.
1t did not help him in running down
the counterfeiter. He knew that GER
tain persons were going about buying
articles worth various sums from 90
cents to 81 or So, offering one of the
counterfeit ten dollar bills and receiy-
ing the change in good money.
RoeIf interviewed several of the per
sons on whom these spurious bills had
been passed-a young woman cashier
in an ice cream saloon. She said that
a Young man had brought in girl, or
dering ice cream, cake and other aru-
cles for both Of them; had paid for
what he bought with ten dollar Dill
and received 1915 change. After the
departure of the couple the bill was
found to be counterfeit.
The only person who saw this young
man and woman was the cashier her
self. who waited on them, no other per-
son connected with the saloon being
present but her description tailed
with that of others-that is, the de
scription of the young man, Tor TINS
was the only time he was reported IN
company with girl.
Roelf gave telephone NUMBER 10
the proprietors of certain store on
the main shopping street OF the town
and asked them, If any one passed the
spurious bills, to call him up and hold
on to the person who had offered IL.
Then he took novel, sat down by the
instrument, read and waited.
On the third day of his waiting ne
was rung up from a cigar store. A
Young man had called, bought hand
full of cigars, offered counterfeit ten
dollar bill, received So and some sill
yer in change, lighted cigar and gone
out smoking. The proprietor had teie-
phoned Roelf and sent boy to shad-
ow the young man. Roelf went to
the cigar store, and when the boy re-
turned he showed the detective house
which the young man had entered.
RoeIf remembered that there were
different possibilities connected with
this young man. The bill might have
been passed on him, he being entirely
innocent of the matter. He might De
passing the bills for the maker. The
house he entered might be In no way
connected with the counterfeidng. IL
might be the place where the bills
were made. 1t behooved Roelf, there
fore. to be careful In his investigations
lest he either come down on innocent
persons or brighten the counterfeiters
away with all their paraphernalia
What he did was to observe the
house. He loitered near it for half
day to see who came from and went
TO IL. No one entered it, but woman
came out
The usual way for detectives to
watch subjected house is to hire
room opposite. Roelf did this and
kept close observation on the house
the young man had entered. Within
n few days another case of passing the
bills was reported to him. A young
man--very likely the same person as
beforehand bought hat with one or
them. The bill had been detected, the
purchaser had been followed and had
entered the house Roelf was watching.
This removed all doubt that the gull
ty person occupied the house In ques-
ton. Roelf made arrangements to
raid It, but concluded to get what adj
siitional information he was able be-
fore doing so. He kept up his watch.
but the only person he saw come out
OF go in was a young girl. 1t seemed
TO Roelf that there was something IA
miliar to him about her, but he could
not tell what 1t was. He never caught
d fair glimpse OF her face, for when
ever she emerged from the house. II
the weather was fair, she put up a
parasol and If 1t rained an umbrella.
.Roelf now gave orders among the
shops that IL any one passed one of
the spurious bills and 1t was detected
before the person passing it got away
be was to be detained. II this was not
possible Roelf was TO be telephoned of
the fact and he would arrest the coun-
terfeiter If he returned to the house.
One afternoon be received a tele-
phone that a young man Of effeminate
appearance had entered a drug store,
bought a pair of hairbrushes and
l. want