The Monticellonian., 1916-11-02
The Elusive Fugitive

Copyright by W. G. Chapman

Particularly would this seem to be the case when the man in flight is of a high degree of intelligence and is thoroughly informed as to the meth ods 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 ap his man. He may do this by following out. one after another, the probabilities fn 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 a trail behind him If 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 so secure as to become care
 
 sleuths of the federal government, whose instructions are never to aban- don the pursuit of an escaped crimi- nal
 There is the case of Alexander Der liner, for instance. He was a prince of frauds. man of exceptional ability, a cosmopolitan, one who knew detec- To had 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 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 of humanity that surge around great world to disturb the tranquility of Berliner? Let us see how the case developed.
 Gard had the advantage of having got spot on" Berliner. That is to say he had seen him. Berliner was a customs broker His business was to 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 to him. He spoke many languages and had customers among the wealthiest people in America
 It was when a mere suspicion arose as to the fidelity with which he was paying his duties that Billy Gard. on some p-etext, went to see him. A large, outstanding. white-haired man he was-Iausually handsome and dominant.
 May I ask" said Gard, If you be procured from Ireland within six weeks? My sister is opening an es- tablishment at that time and is not satisfied with the offerings here"
 Who is your sister," asked Der liner, rather more directly than GUS toner would expect to be questioned by broker.
 Mrs. Jonathan Moulton," said the special agent glibly, giving the name of a woman friend. She lives ln Seventy second street"
 Do you mind if call her for con- firmation of your inquiry?' said the broker, still noncormittal
 Such a request Is not usually ad- dressed 70 a prospective customer said Gard. appearing bit nettled, but I have no objection whatever"
 As matter of fact the special agent was very much disconnected. He had foreseen the possibility of hav- [ ing to vse the name of some 1ndlvld- ual who might afterward be called upon to verify the genuineness of his interest in linens. Mrs. Moulton was a good friend who would be entirely willing 60 help him in little decep- ton ot this sort, but he had not as vet coached her as to the part she might be called upon to play. He had thought there would be plenty of time later if it became necessary to iden- tify the supposed customer. But Der liner was evidently suspicious of bright young men who called upon him. He evidently knew that he was under investigation. Cards particu lar hope. if the broker insisted on call ing his alleged sister, was that he would find that she was not at home
 But luck was not with him. Mrs. Moulton herself answered the tele- phone.
 May ask" said the broker. If you will give me the name of the young man whom you have commissioned to buy linens for you?"
 The manner in which the question was put, Gard realized, gave Mrs. Moulton no intimation of the situa- ton. He knew she was sufficiently clever to be entirely noncommittal if the broker had mentioned his name. But Berliner was too shrewd for this.
 You have authorized no one to buy for your" the broker was saying You are not in the market for linens at all? I see. There must have been some mistake"
 Berliner turned to his caller.
 Young MT. Detective" he said. ur- banely, your work is bit amateur ish, May l present you with your hat? trust there will be no occasion for our acquaintance to develop fur ther."
 The case against Berliner did not come to a crisis immediately. It was two months later that the customs agents reported that he WAS gone and