The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-10-20

tomobile through and smut on the sec
ond. 1t was the worst sort of luck
that caused the special agent to ar
rive at the North side station just as
the gate was slammed and made It
necessary for him to produce creden-
t1als to get through. He was barely
able to swing into the vestibule of a
sleeper as the train was getting under
way. 1t was particularly hazardous
from The standpoint of accomplishing
the end he had in mind, for he did not
even know If Alexander was aboard
and faced the danger of having ridden
away on the fastest train to New York
and left his work behind him. Even
II the man he was after was aboard
there was the chance that he had be-
come aware of the chase and would
take precaution to outwit him.
But now there was no hurry. His
man was or was not on the train and
the porter told him there would be no
stop for two hours. The special agent
was still good deal of a youngster
with an appreciation of the dramatic
and here was situation that appealed
to him. He wondered If he were riding
into the dusk on a wild goose chase,
or If he had cornered this fugitive
master-crook, with travelling bag con-
tanning half million dollars of other
peoples money. He pictured the man
he was after-the suave, confident,
stealthy cashier, who had stolen his
hundreds of thousands and lad, by the
very force of him, compelled his SUBJ
ordlnates to bide his shortcomings.
He wondered if this man of action was
expecting pursuit or if he was riding
on in confidence of being able to make
his escape. He thought of the satchel
that the cashier carried and of his re-
sponsibility, as government agent.
for safeguarding its contents. 1t was
something Of an assignment for q
youngster.
"And mother used to say to me-"
grinned Billy to himself, when she
sent me around the corner for a dozen
eggs: DO be careful to bring back
the change and for goodness sake
don't drop the bag I wish mother
could see me now"
Whereupon William H. Gard of the
United States department of justice
arose and went to the front of the
train. From this point he worked
steadily back, making sure that he
saw every passenger, looking each
over with sufficient scrutiny that dis
guise would not have escaped him,
making sure that the man he sought
was in the portion of the train to the
rear. 1t began to look as though he
had actually boarded train which the
fugitive had failed to catch.
Dark was just coming on. It was
| that hour when most of the passen-
gers on train are to be found in the
| diner. 1t happened that this train was
running light and now the sleepers
were practically deserted but for the
nodding porters. Through one after
another of these the special agent
passed until there remained only the
| observation car at the end. 1t was
here that he would find his quarry or
| prove himself outwitted.
When he came into the observation
car through the narrow hall that leads
to 1t, a Longing figure by the door
| drew itself taut. Instinctively it put
its hand to travelling bag that rest
ed on the next chair. Then It re-
| NAMED STILL
The special agent came direct down
the car and went Immediately to the
task in hand.
you are Bayard Alexander" he
said, "and my prisoner"
The cashier was, after all, surprised.
He was not aware that he was being
followed. He sprang forward in his
chair but met the CLINT of pistol in
the hand Of the special agent.
"And you? Oh, see!" said the
cashier, recovering himself. "The
bookkeeper was not a bookkeeper aft
er all"
II am an agent Of the department
of Justice" said Gard. "You are un.
der arrest"
The tall figure of the cashier had
risen from its chair. To the travelling
bag he chung instinctively. The stu
alton seemed entirely in the control of
the special agent with gun drawn and
the retreat cut of. Yet, like a flash,
the cashier turned the knob of the
door that led out upon the rear plat
form of the observation car. The gun
of the special agent spit forth flame,
but whether he had intended to bring
| down his man or not he was afterward
quite unable to recall.