The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1916-03-16

ing example or the thieves resource
fulness in availing themselves of a
clandestine Irritation to lure Mrs.
Charters to the ladies' dressing room
at specified time. The note was
merely a scrawled line, signed with
the initials of well-known name that
had frequently been coupled with the
dashing and wealthy young widows.
Ferndale, with his eyes zealously
upon the costliest jewels at the ball,
was particularly solicitous Of Mrs.
Charters $4,000 diamond dog-collar.
Without, of course, imagining its
cause, as the hour for the tryst in the
dressingr room approached her increas-
ing nervousness and agitation aroused
his curiosity, and when she slipped
furtively away he followed to the very
door,
Thus he heard the first sounds of
tumult and struggle, and entered in
time to confront two masked men. The
three promptly commenced three
cornered fusillade Ferndale believed
which, a few minutes later, was dis
covered to be true-that he had
wounded the man who plunged
through the window.
Mrs. Charters was insensible upon
the floor when he arrived, her rare
diamond ornament already reaved
from her throat. Otherwise she was
not in the least injured.
The masked man who collided with
Helen doubtless got rid of the telltale
face covering and mingled with the
guests; for Harry Butler maintained
that he never even so much as saw an
armed masked man in the conserva-
tory
The most interesting clue. from
Hazards viewpoint, had to do with
the man who fell into the tnow from
the porte-cochere roof.
1t transpired that he was not killed
nor even seriously injured; but before
he recovered Helen fished from one of
his pockets a curious bit of paper 1t
was the peculiar particulars which
this sheet bore that suggested the APP
pellation 'The Secret Six" by which
later came to be distinguished one of
the most notorious and daring bands
of criminals in the countrys annals of
crime. The paper appeared thus:
No. 2 cover room & exit FIN prt-cochere
roof. No pass bundle to No / at appted
place. 3, & wait with auto as ordered
to cover retreat & lend aid if necessary.
No. l.
Thus it will be seen that the rob-
berry was planned deliberately down
to its smallest detail.
Indeed, the plot was carried to
successful and sensational climax
right at the massive stone pillars and
huge wrought-iron grille that consti-
tuted the Miller-Crosby gate. The
wounded man was being led away by
a policeman to await at the spot men,
toned the coming of patrol-wagon,
already summoned AS the two
emerged upon the walk the police
man was set upon and overpowered
by three masked men. all armed with
businesslike automatics. The prison
er was bundled into an automobi''
and, right from the midst of a group
of curious-and northumberland
feurs, whisked away into the night.
During the ensuing fortnight almost
the entire Sutherland force, not only
of the Chicago main Office but at
every branch in the United States,
was bending every effort to run to
earth the Secret Six" and their con-
federates. But it was Felix Hazard
who finally drove the principal mem
bers of the crime syndicate to cover.
That the six principals for the time
being eluded the police was in meas
ure disappointing; but more vital is
sue was at stake, one far more serious
than the capture of the criminals.
Helen Bertel at the time was in
their power.