The sun., 1919-10-19
CAUGHT.
IN RUSH TO SPAIN
Underground Railroad Blocked by u, S. Army Intel
Igence Officers in France-Ringleaders Face Firing
SQUAD and Others Get Life Sentences

would be sent along to the next
station.
They remained here for a day ana
{. night On the second night they were
told that they would leave at 2 o'rlocl,
A. NJ. During all this time we had a
man watching this house and he fol-
lowed along when they were placed
on the train for Bassens.
Nero Porter the Key.
As soon as the train left he wired
me; and other detectives were around
when the train arrived at Bassens. In
Bordeaux at this time there was en-
ployed in the American post Office 40
tanitor an American negro who had
lived in France for five years. Greatly
to our surprise this man was the one
who met the train and piloted these
deserters to his home on the outskirts
Of Bassens. Here they were hidden.
He was the one who supplied them
with old clothes, changing even their
hats and shoes. Moreover, his official
position gave him access to the negro
stevedore camps, so he was able to dis
pose Of the uniforms and shoes very
easily. He made quite a sum of money
on this part of the scheme alone.
The next step of the journey was
from Bassens to Henday which Is a
border town near Spain. From here
they were to be passed over the border
and so into Spain.
The second night proved ideal--dark
and with a mist from the mountains.
il was just the right kind-and the
men were taken out and, with guide
they went up into the mountains
Crossing by trail they were met by
man from Spain and turned over to
him. This man was Frenchman who
had escaped into Spain to avoid mill
tary duty. He promptly turned these de-
serters over the the Spanish Govern
ment and they were informed. Our two
detectives declared that they wanted to
go to Madrid, so one day they quietly
slipped away into the mountains, re-
crossed back to France, and reported
to me.
Spain Was Touchy.
We had now followed their system
through and knew the people who
we're implicated in it. but we wanted to
get the Frenchman out of Spain. We
jealous of her neutrality and we did
not want to cause trouble. Moreover.
u knew If I made a slip I would be
sacrificed to satisfy Spain, even
though doing an excellent piece q,
work; and while l wanted that French
crook l wanted my liberty more I
was so anxious to get him. however.
that 1 determined to take a chance,
and putting on my civilian clothes |
crossed the mountains into Spain.
L cultivated the friendship of this
F'renchman and finally told him in con-
fidence that l myself was a deserter
from the American Army and that I
had stolen $4,000 but had been forced
to escape one night so quickly that !
had left it behind in Paris. I had a
woman there who had il and who
would join me as soon as sent her
word. I told him that 1 was puzzleI
, how to get word to her, for / was ~.
FUSED the privilege of sending mes
sage at the Spanish telegraph officA
This man then suggested that I mighs
take chance and return to Henday
and send messge from there y.
also said that he would give me letter
to a friend of his in Hendav who
would help me out and would keep me
hidden and also assist us in return.
ing after arrangements had been mad,
TINS was exactly what l wanted hiB
TO 90, for it gave me a chance TO make
the final arrangements with the French
secret service to capture this man
L crossed back into France and a
once went to the office of the F'rench
Secret Service. Here plans were made
| for one of the French women attached
to their office in Paris to be instruct,d
and sent down to help close the trap.
After making these arrangements 7
presented my letter to the Frenchman
| in Henday and he assisted me in re-
| turning to Spain. This agent at Hem
| day promised to meet this woman.
! send us word when she arrived, ard
pilot her to hut up in the mountains.
where l was to meet her and bring
her across.
spanish RfnRIeader Caught.
Word came through that our woman
had arrived at Henday and that on
the next night she would be at tns
hut. wanted to get the man out -
Spain, so when word came | faxed
| sickness and asked the French crook
to go up in the mountains and meet
| her in my stead, feeling. that The
chance TO get the money and dorr'e
| cross me would overcome his caution
| about crossing the border into France.
| The eagerness with which he accepted
! my suggestion that he go in my place
| convinced me that l had judged him
rightly. The night came and, ~.ra
enough, the lure of the money was
uppermost in his mind, for he went
! over TO the hut and met the woman
\ and the Henday agent. While they
We're arguing about who should carry
| the money the French police sur
| rounded the hut, broke in and arrested
] the three of them.
We now had the Spanish ringlcader
! and We're ready TO finish up the work
and arrest the entire gang. Some men
were detailed to cover the houses IN
Paris, Tours and Bassens; and others
were to shadow the men who worked
on the railroad, a certain time being
! set to close in on them. We We're sue
! cessful. Our first raid Melted MS
total of twelve prisoners. a careful
search of the houses, coupled with Oh"
! breaking down OF some OF the Nom
] bers who confessed to save their lives.
gave us an additional list Of members,
| in ANrn