The Yale expositor., 1916-11-02
Copyright by W G. Chapman


world goes forth secretively to hide
himself and a second man starts forth
to find him, it would appear that all
the advantage was with the fugitive.
Particularly would this seem to be
the case when the man in flight is or a
high degree of intelligence and ts
thoroughly informed as to the meth
DDS that will be employed in the pur-
suit
Yet the detective who knows his
business and who sticks to the trail
month after month nearly always
turns up his man. He may do this by
following out, one after another, the
probabilities in the case. There is
almost no man who will refrain from
performing some one Of those every
day actions that it is but natural he
should take. There is almost no man
who will flee without leaving trail
behind him. II he is the criminal
genius who succeeds in doing all these
things, there is the element Of chance
that will turn up some bit Of informa-
ton that will put the vigilant sleuth
on his track. For there are many
pulses upon which the detective finger
may rest long after the criminal gets
to feel 50 secure as to become care
less. Particularly is this true Of the
sleuths Of the federal government,
whose instructions are never to aban-
don the pursuit of IA escaped crimi-
nal.
There is the case of Alexander Ber-
liner, for instance. He was prince
of frauds, a man of exceptional ability,
a cosmopolitan, one who knew detec-
tive methods, a man with money. lie
had a month the start of Billy Gard
OF the federal department Of justice
He knew that the special agent was
after him. He appreciated the danger
OF a long term in prison if he were
caught.
Would you think, under the circum'
stances, that the detective in the case
could make sufficient splash among
the tides CT humanity that surge
around a great world to disturb the
tranquility Of Berliner? Let US see
how the case developed.
Gard had the advantage Of having
got a spot on" Berliner. That is to
say. he had seen him. Berliner was g
customs broker. His business was tc
act as agent for American purchasers
and European dealers. He knew his
Europe and he knew New York. The
details of customs regulations and du
ties to be paid were an open book U
him. He spoke mary languages ant
had customers among the wealthles
people in America.
II was when a mere suspicion aros'
as to the fidelity with which he wa
having his duties that Billy Gard, Of
some pretext, went to see him. /
large, outstanding, white-haired MAJ
he was-unusually handsome an
dominant.
May l ask" said Gard, "if yo'
think table linens Of good quality coul
be procured from Ireland within 81
weeks? My sister is opening an ei
adjustment at that time and is no
satisfied with the offerings here"
who is your sister," asked Be-
liner, rather more directly than cut
toner would expect to be QUESTION:
by broker.
"Mrs. Jonathan Mculton," said tn
special agent glibly, giving the nam
of a woman friend. "'She lives
Seventy-second street"
"Do you mind IL call her for a col
firmation of your inquiry" said tn
"Such a request is net usually a
dressed to a prospective customer
said Gard, appearing a bit nettle
"but l have no objection whatever.
As a matter of fact the specs
agent was very much dlsccncerte
He had foreseen the possibility CT ha
ing TO use the name of some indivi
ual who might afterward be call'
upon to verify the genuineness OF d
interest in linens. Mrs. Mculton WI
a good friend who would he entire
willing to help him in a little dece
ton of this sort, but he had not
vet coached her as to the part 81
might be called upon to play. lie NJ
Thought there would be plenty or TIN
later IL 1t became necessary to lde
tify the supposed customer. But 30
liner was evidently suspicious
bright young men who called up
him. He evidently knew that he W
under investigation. Cards paruC
lar hope, II the broker insisted on ca
ing his alleged sister. was that
would find that she was not at hon
But luck was not with him. M
Moulton herself answered the tie
phone. M
May ask" said the broker, ~ y
will give me the name of the you
man whom you have commissioned
buy linens for your"
The manner in which the questl
was put, Gard realized, gave M
Moulton no intimation of the SIT
ton. He knew she was sufiicien
clever 70 be entirely noncommittal
the broker had mentioned his mar
But Berliner was too shrewd for u