Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-11-03
The Elusive Fugitive
Copyright by " G. Chapman

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 of a
high degree of intelligence and is
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 ollt, 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 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
to feel so 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 an escaped crimi-
nal
There is the case of Alexander Ber-
liner, for instance. He was a prince
of frauds, man of exceptional ability,
a cosmopolitan, one who knew detec-
tive methods, man with money. He
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 of 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 ''spot on" Berliner. That is to
say, he had seen him. Berliner was
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 ma,4y languages and
had customers among the wealthiest
people in America.
It was when mere suspicion arose
as to the fidelity with which be was
paying his duties that Billy Gard, on
some pretext, went to see him. A
large, outstanding, white-haired man
he was unusually handsome and
dominant.
''May / ask" said Gard, eff you
think table linens of good quality could
be procured from Ireland within six
weeks? Ny sister is opening an es-
Enlistment at that time and is not
satisfied with the offerings here"
"Who is your sister," asked Ber-
liner, rather more directly than a 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 in
Seventy-second street"
do you mind if call her for con-
firmation of your inquiry" said the
broker, still noncommittal.
"Such a request is not usually adj
dressed to a prospective customer"
said Gard, appearing bit nettled'
"but have no objection whatever.
AS q matter of fact the special
agent was very much disconnected.
He had fcreseen the possibility OF hav-
ing to use the name of some indivld-
uaI 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 to help him in a little dece1-
ton of this sort, but he had not as
yet 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 Ber-
liner was evidently suspicious OF
bright young men who called upon
him. He evidently knew That ne was
under investigation. Cards particu-
lar hope, if the broker insisted on cali
ing his alleged sister, was that he
would find that she was net at home
But luck was not with him. Mrs.
Moulton herself answered the tele-
phone.
May 1 ask" said the broker, "if you
will give me the name Of the young
man whom you have commissioned to
buy linens for your"
The manner in which the question
was put, Gard realized, gave Mrs
MouIton no intimation of the situa-
ton. He knew she was sufficiently
clever to be entirely noncommittal if
the broker had mentioned his name.