Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-09-14

Special Agent Billy Gard sat in the
cafe of Fun Ken, that wealthy Orien-
tai who had pitched his resort among
the ferns of the Blue mountains which
look down upon Kingston, the capital
city of the tropical and howery island
of Jamaica. Many drowsy afternoons
had he spent here with orange juice
and siphon at his elbow and the best
of Havanas in his teeth. For Billy. in
the opinion OF every man he met in
the islands. with the single exception
of the American consul. was retired
manufacturer, with money to spend
and time hanging heavily on his
hands. AS q matter Of fact, his table
at the cafe was chosen because 1t
gave him an opportunity to observe
Fun Ken and his satellites, whom he
suspected of being a part OF a huge
conspiracy for the smuggling Of opium
and Cinnamon into the states.
This afternoon he had thus silently
gained a reaffirmation of his belief
that Fun Ken was a part OF the or
ganization with which he had already
associated Wilmer Peterson, whose &C
quaintance he had been cultivating.
He had seen Peterson alight from the
electric car that passed the door. The
American had gone through the cafe
and out at the back. Fun Ken, who
was at the time presiding at the cash
ier's desk, had Immediately disap-
Feared. Half an hour later Fun Ken
was again on the cashiers stool and
Peterson shortly thereafter returned
to the cafe. This occurrence had been
witnessed for three days in succession
by the special agent, who regarded it
as a convincing indication Of collision
between these two men.
Of Peterson's operations, Gard al
ready had absolute proof. This be
ping point for fruit at the other end
of the island. He had been sent to
the Caribbean because OF the difficulty
the United States was having In pre-
venting the smuggling Of both opium
and of Cinnamon not legally entitled
10 enter the country.
1t was suspected that Jamaica was
the base of operations for these SNUG
glers, and the government wanted to
understand the case from the inside.
Gard assumed the role Of a retired
glass manufacturer who had time
to lounge the winter away about the
southern seas. For two weeks he had
luxuriated about the Hotel Titchfield,
in Port Antonio, and changed his
clothes oftener than any Englishman in
the place. There he had noted the
clumps Of idle Cinnamon who made
headquarters near the wharf, and the
occasional stealthy American who was
particularly in evidence when there
were freighters in the harbor.
Gard soon became a familiar figure
about the hotel lobby and bar room,
where he spent money freely. Like
wise was his boat to be seen on the
bay for many hours Of the day, for
he made rowing his diversion.
Don't buy drinks for that bunch,
Mr.. Gard Hogan, the bartender at
the Titchfield admonished him. They
are nothing but lot of smugglers."
This was his first lead. That night
Gard rowed late on the bay, skirted a
banana boat that lay tied to the wharf
and scrambled up unseen to a side
door of the customs house. To this
door he had a key He let himself in.
Where the customs house faced the
wharf were large double doors through
which freight might be taken directly
to the boat tied there. The special
agent unlocked these doors and made
a crack just large enough for observa-
ton and for eavesdropping, but still
so small as not to attract attention
from the outside. Here he waited
from eight to eleven o'clock.
In the stiffness OF this late hour the
skipper of the banana boat and re-
terson, the smuggler, held a confer
ence.
Il have room for ten men," said the
skipper.
Il have the men ready to come
aboard" said the smuggler.
ana Inc money sA66CSsCu S
man of the seas.
THE cash is ready; $3.50 for each
man when he is slowed away You
will land them at Mobile"
AT Mobile" assented the captain.
See me next trip at Kingston, said
the smuggler. Il leave for that point
in the morning"
Thus was gained the first peep into
the methods of the smugglers. Gard
reported to the American consul, VINO
sent a message that would result In
the seizure of the banana boat when
1t reached Mobile.
The special agent now had the
thread of his work we'll in hand. His
Intentions were to get at the very bot
tom of the affair. however, and not
merely to apprehend an individual like
Peterson. That gentleman should be
induced to show the way. Peterson
should be *'roped. That most enec-
tive, vet most difficult task of work
ing into the confidence of a culprit
and inducing him to lay his cards on
t.e tah1n. should be employed.