The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-11-03
Copyright by W. G. Chapman

long resorted to undertaking. the i'm.
ports of his clients. By getting an
article through the customhouse at
less than its value, he would defraud
the government Of just the difference
| between the amount paid and the
amount that should have been paid.
But this money was not saved for his
customer. That individual was
charged the full amount due and the
broker pocketed the difference. There
was evidence that the government had
lost 100000 through these opera
tons.
| Because Gard had seen the customs
broker he was assigned to the capture
of the fugitive. He set about the task
methodically.
The special agent diligently searched
out every one of Berliner's intimates.
There was wife and brother to begin
| with. 1t is the A, B, G of fugitive
catching that every man will commu-
nicate with some one of his relatives
| or intimates. 1t is not human nature
to break off every tie. Against the
possibility of this fugitive writing
Gard established a close watch over
the mail of each of the fugitive's rela-
tives and close friends. The postman
who delivered mail to each was given
samples of Berliner's handwriting,
was instructed to report the arrival Of
any letter that might be suspected Of
inc frny hi n frson m G
made of it's envelope, to note it's post
mark, before it was delivered.
But a month passed and no suspi-
cious letter arrived.
In the meantime every possibility of
| getting directly on the trail was ex-
hausted. Even in great city like
New York it is difficult for anybody
to take a train without having fixed
the attention of somebody else. An ex-
pressman must be called to get a
trunk to the station. A taxicab may
be used. Servants are aware of a de-
parture. Tickets must be bought.
Conductors on trains must take up
those tickets.
1t is tedious task to interview in
Vulnerable expressmen and ask each
If he had had a summons from GER
tain apartment The taxicab records
of calls are equally confusing, but
each may be traced to a driver and
that individual may be questioned.
Every ticket seller in a city may be
seen in a day or two, the photograph
of the man wanted may be shown and
recollection of him developed. II
the fugitive Is of striking appearance,
as was Berliner, the chances of his be-
ing remembered are increased. If the
trail is once crossed the going is
easier.
Yet all these and many other devices
failed in this case, and chance first
pointed the way. The goddess of CO
incidence made her appearance in a
modest motion picture theater where
Gard and friend were killing bit
of time. Among the reels shown was
one which portrayed visit of the
president to New York. 1t began with
the arrival at the station, among
throngs of people.
"By the Lord Harry" suddenly ex-
claimed the special agent. Would
you pipe that gray-haired gent in the
foreground have been looking for
him for month"
1t was Beriiler. He had chosen
the momSnt when the station was
most cfG1ded to make his getaway.
Obvious to the presence of the mo-
ton picture operator, he had stopped
for moment to say good-by to an
other man, his brother, as Gard
thought. The two had spoken a few
words and parted.
II WONDER" soliloquized Gard.
what those two men said to each
other"
Then he thought of Jane Gates, the
Lily Maid, the deaf copyist at head
quarters, the cameo-faced girl, best
loved of the special agents.
1.-THE Lily Maid might read the lips
Of those unconscious motion picture
actors" he thought. "They are right
out in front"
So it happened that the deaf typist
got half-holiday and she and Gard
spent 1t at the picture show, where
| her lack of the sense of hearing in no
way detracted from her enjoyment.
The scene at the station came. on.
Gard pointed out the two men in the
foreground, who, fortunately, were
facing the machine. The deaf girl
picked their words from their lips and
| repeated them in the hollow tones of
those who have learned to talk with
out hearing.
Send Margaret to London in three
months" the customs broker was say.
ing. 81 shall not write"
"But how shall we know of your
whereabouts?" the brother asked.
"You will not know. / take no
! chances" was the answer.
But where are you going?"
First to Montreal, eventually to
Europe. There l will hide and live
in peace"
This much of the talk Of the broth.
ers was definitely made out A re.
turn for three performances thorough.
ly confirmed the conversation.
"You are the best detective on the
force" Gard told the deaf girl with
his lips, thereby making her very
happy, for she was full of the enthusi.
asm of the service.
But more remarkable than this,
he continued, watching for the flush
of pink which such sallies always
drew to her cheeks, 'is that the best
detective in the great city should, at
the same time. be its very prettiest
girl"
The next day the special agent was
on the cold trail In Montreal. The