The Monticellonian., 1916-10-12


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 II
necessary for him to produce creden-
t1ais to get through He was barely
able to swing into the vestibuIe of
sleeper as the train was getting under
way II was particularly hazardous
from the standpoint OF accomplishing
the end he had in mind. for he did not
even know if Alexander was aboard
ana raced the danger of having ridden
away on the fastest train to New York
ana lett 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 10 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 a good deal of a youngster
with an appreciation of the dramatic
anu mere was situation that appealed
TO him. lie wondered if he were riding
into the dusk on a wild goose chase.
or II he had eorHered this fugitive
mastercrook with a travelling bag con
tanning half a million dollars of other
peoples money lie pictured the man
he was after-the suave, confident.
stealthy cashier. who had stolen his
hundreds of thousands and had, by the
very force of him compelled his sub
ordinates 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 10 make
his escape He thought Of the satchel
that the cashier carried and of his re
shensibiltty. as government agent.
fer safeguarding its contents. It was
something of an assignment fer a
youngster
And mother used to say to me"
grihned Billy TO himself, when she
sent me around the corner for dozen
eggs: Do be careful to bring back
the change and for goodness sake
don't drop the bag. wish mother
could see me now
Nhereupon 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 thai he
saw every passenger looking each
over with sufficient scrutiny that a dis
galse would net 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 a train which the
fugitive had failed TO catch.
Dark was just coming on It was
that hour when most of the Bassen
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
neddinS 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
ear through the narrow hall that leads
to 1t. a Longing figure by the door
drew itself taut. InstinctiveIy IL put
its hand to travelling bag that rest
ed on the next chair. Then il re-
manned still
The special agent came direct down
the car and went immediately ia the
task in hand
You are BayaFd 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 a pistol in
the hand of the special agent.
And You? OH SECT said the
cashier. recovering himself. The
bookkeeper WAS not bookkeeper aft
er all"
4 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 instinctiyely. The stu.
alton seemed entirely in the control of
the special agent with gun drawn ana
the retreat cut off Yet, like 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 a flame
but whether he had intended TO bring
down his man or not he was afterw ard
quite unable to recall