The Idaho recorder., 1922-02-10
True
Detective Stories
THE FINAL DETAIL

IouiiuiiB UP lDe SuperStructure of hi.
scheme, makes a fatal blunder IN con
herfion with some apparently unim
portant detail--a blunder whicl
wrecks his entire plan and brings his
operations to the attention Of the
authorities.
For example. the chances were more
than thousand to one that William
Brockway. counterfelter, being DESTROYS
OF securing proof of plate on
which he was working, would select
A printer who was not personal
friend of prominent detective. But
chance. which so often plays leading
role even in true detective stories,
directed him to a man who knew A.
l.. Drummond, Of the United States
Secret Service, well enough to call
| him by his first name.
Ihis man came into my place yes
terday afternoon" reported the prIn-
ter 'and wanted some proofs pulled
OF plate which he had with him. I
took one look at the plate and told
him to come back today-said my ma.
chinery was out of order. He didn't
leave the plate. but he didn't have to
saw what it was---the figure 81 900
surrounded by lot of scroll work
IF he returns today" directed
prummond. pull his proofs for him
ana hold one of them for me. A couple
or my men will be outside your shop
so signal them and they will follow
your customer"
Ihe plan worked according to
schedule and, shortly after receiving
u proof OF the mysterious plate. Drum
mond got word from his operatives
that they had trailed the suspect TO
house on Greenwich street. In ad
ultion, one of the government agents
had recognized him as William F.
Brockway known to be the most ex-
pert counterfeiter in the country and
the man who had achieved fame nv
manufacturing 100000 worth of bonds
which the Treasury department had
accepted as genuine-only to reverse
It's opinion some weeks later.
Drummond accordingly made a re-
port OF the entire matter to Wash |
ington, and forwarded a proof of the
plate which Brockway had in his
possession. To his amazement, the |
treasury officials stated that the
hgures and the scroll did not form
a part of any government currency or |
bond issue and that, as federal funds
could not be used except in the search
FOR counterfeiters of money or govern
nent bonds. Drummond could not be
permitted to handle the case.
Accordingly, all the data was tur I'd
over to the New York police, and
Brockway dropped out of sight for
nearly year, until a rumOr was
passed along from Washington that
he master counterfeiter was working
IN some coup which would be the big
yesti of his career.
Drummond knew where to find
8rockway, but the secret service men
lad to work under handicap. be-
'ause the ex-convict appeared to have
IN uncanny way of knowing just when
le was being followed. Then he would
Zip and twist and turn and lose him.
elf. no matter how many men were
railing him.
As last resort Drummond enlisted
he services of his son, a bow of ten
sh"m he sent to the elevated station
It Twenty-eighth and Sixth avenue.
'ith instruction to play around there
lntii he received signal from two OF
he operatives. Brockway, not dream.
ng that the secret service had be-
'un to use children as detectives was
and the boy followed him
ntii he entered the st. James. hotel
I the corner of Twenty-sixth and
'roadway. With that much of the
rail already blazed. it was easy TO
lick up the rest, and within a few
ayS Drummond was notified that the
divided his time between
ne 81. James and a house on Lexing.
On avenue. His associates were two
len OF about his own age, men whom
'rummond recognized as Lewis Mar.
IN and Nathan Foster both of them
roficient In all branches of the work |
with the manufacture and
assing of counterfeit money.
But even then Chief Brookes of the
ecret service. declined to allow Drum.
lond tn handle the case officially. he. .
ause all the indications pointed to
lot TO counterfeit railroad bonds
ather than United States currency
was only when Inspector Byrnes ,
the New York police force. asked
to use Drummond ms a !
rivate agent that Washington DER g
litted him to continue with the case
Using the proof of the Isl Oo0 u
roll as foundation. Drummond
through all the prominent
ond issues listed on Wall street, until s
found its counterpart-thec central U
nrtion of the bonds of the Central
acific railroad. Armed with this in.
'rmation. which was essential to the
Acuring of definite and specific q
arrant, Drummond raided the house
Lexington avenue and Martins
'en at the ST. James hotel. There
addition to dies. seals and tracing
'per, he found fifty-seven counter.
N Sl,Wo Central Pacifis bonds. all G
which mara 50