The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-11-18

It can be done without exciting the
suspicious of the watchers"
Looks as If my yarn wasn't going
to be delayed so long after all. Jones,
you ought to have been in the secret
service yourself admiringly.
Jones smiled and shrugged. Il am
perfectly satisfied with my lot-or
would be if the Black Hundred could
be wiped out of existence"
"Ill see the secret service people at
once. l stand in well with them all"
And good luck to you. Well need
good luck"
Norton was welcomed cordially by
the chief. The secret service men
trusted him and told him lots of tales
that never saw light on the printed
page. The reporter went directly to
the point of his story, without elabora-
ton, and the chief smiled and handed
him the original letter.
Morton, I've been after this gang
of counterfeiters for months and they
are clever beyond words. I've never
been able to get anywhere near their
presses. And for a moment I thought
this note was FROM squealer. I've
a dozen men securing the country.
They find the bogus notes, but never
the men who pass them. You see,
it's new stuff. l know what all the
old timers are at; but none Of them
has had a hand in this issue. Some
foreigners, I take it, under the leader
ship of a man I'd very much like to
know. Now, what's your scheme?"
Jim outlined it briefly. .'.
1T all depends" said the chief,
upon the fact that they will be i'm
patient. If they have the ability to
wait, we lose. But we can afford to
risk the chance. The nan who wrote
this letter Is not a counterfeiter. He's
an old yeggman. We haven't heard
anything Of him lately. We tried to
corner him on a post Office job, but
he slipped by. He may be a stool.
Anyhow, I'll draw him in somehow"
"There'll be some excitement"
Were used to that; you too. All
we've got to do is to locate this man
Beggs. There are signs Of spite in this
letter. Very we'll played, If you want
my opinion. What's this Black Hun
dred?"
I'm not 6. liberty to tell just yet.
It's a strange game; half political,
half blackmail. It's a pretty strong
organization. But If they're back of
this counterfeiting, there's a fine
chance of landing them all"
Here the chiefs assistant came in.
Got Beggs on the wire. Says he'll
conduct you to the home If you'll
promise him immunity for some other
offenses."
"Tell him he shall have immunity
on the word of the chief. But also
say that he must come to see me IN
person"
AL right, sir"
81 don't believe 1t would be wise
for Beggs to see me here. l gave him
a good send-ot-Sing Sing-1ve years
ago. He may recollect," said Norton.
Suit yourself about that. Only,
keep in communication with me by
telephone and III tip you off as to
when the raid shall take place. Lucky
YOU came in. I should have honestly
gone there and arrested innocent
people, and they would have had q
devil OF a time explaining. 1t would
have taken them at least a week to
clear themselves. That would leave
the house empty all that time"
Norton did not reply, but he put
the blotter away carefully. There
was no getting away from the fact,
but the god of luck was with him.
do you know what's back Of it
all?"
81 can't tell you any more than I
have" said Norton.