The Green Forest tribune., 1916-09-15
00pyrIsHV py w. c. Chapman

tal WHO udu pAtChCd ulo lCOOII dUlOuB the ferns of the Blue mountains which look down upon Kingston, the capital city of the tropical and flowery 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 matter of fact, his table at tue cafe was chosen because it gave him an opportunity to observe Fun Ken and his satellites, whom, he suspected of being a part of huge conspiracy for the smuggling of opium and Chinamen into the states This afternoon he had thus silently gained reaffirmation of his belief that Fun Ken was a part of the or ganization with which he had already associated Wilmer Peterson, whose ac- '1uaintance he had been eultivating He had seen Peterson alight from the electric car that passed the door. The American had gone through the cafe and out ct the back. Fun Ken, who was at the time presiding at the cash iers desk, had immediately disap- peared. 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 Petersons operations, Gard al ready had absolute proof. This he had gained at Port Antonio, the ship 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 Chinamen not legally entitled to enter the country.
 It 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 Titchfeld, in Port Antonio, and changed his clothes oftener than any Englishman in the place. There he had noted the clumps of idle Chinamen 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, MT Gard,' Hogan, the bartender at the Titchfield, admonished him. They are nothing but lot of smugglers,"
 This was his first lead. That night Card rowed late on the bay, skirted banana boat that lay tied to the wharf and scrambled up unseen to side door of the customs house. To thls 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 10 the boat tied there. The speclal agent unlocked these doors and made crack just large enough for observa- tion 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 Pe- terson, the smuggler, held a confer ence
 T have room for ten men" said the skipper
 q have the men ready to come aboard" said the smuggler
 And the money?" suggested the man of the seas.
 "The cash is ready; s15O 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 "I leave for that point in the morning.
 Thus was gained the first peep into the methods of the smugglers. 1aru reported to the American consul, WHO sent a message that would result lh the seizure of the banana boat "heh it reached Mobile.
 The special agent now had the thread of his work well in hand, Ills intentions were to get at the very bot tom of the affair, however, and not merely to apprehend an individuai ike Peterson. That gentleman should pc induced to show the way. Peterson should be "roped." That most eHec- tive, yet most difficult task or Work- ing into the confidence Of culprle and inducing him to lay his cards oh the table, should be employed,
 It was with this idea in mind that Gard came down to breakfast carry the next morning, but not so carry that Peterson was not there aheau VI him. He sat opposite his man lne special agent kept looking at ms watch apprehensively, and hnaly asked the man opposite 1T ne Knew ,. what time the train left for Kings ton.
 t"At eight-thirty," said Peterson. There is plenty of time. l an eoine over en that train myself.
 This opened the conversation, ana placed Gard in the position Of havine first indicated his intention or making