The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-01
The l)n0Gr0rOnn0 Railroad -.- By Major E. Russ

1 to Madrid so Hines and Rich an nounced that they, too, wanted to gC to the capital. They secured per mission to do this, and, bidding their l friends good-by, they started, osten- sibly to take the night train for
 Madrid. Instead. they slipped up into the mountains and made their way back to us.
 We now had followed their system through, and knew the people who were implicated in it; but we were determined to get the ring-leader out | of Spain We had to be very eau tious, because Spain was jealous of her neutrality, and we did not want to cause trouble between her and the Allies. Furthermore, 1 knew if l made slip, l would be turned ever to the Spanish for trial, even if l were doing excellent work; and, while l wanted that crook, I wanted my liberty more Knowing full well, however, that if he went free we could not say that our work was successful, I determined to go in and get him. Putting on civilian clothes l crossed over into Spain.
 Guided by the description fur nlshed by Hines and Rich. l soon met the man 1 was after. l cultivated his friendship, and finally told him in confidence that l myself was a deserter from the American army, and that I had stolen fifteen thou sand dollars, but had been suddenly forced to escape so quickly one night that I had left it behind with a wCman in Paris who would join me as soon as l sent her word. l told him that I was puzzled just how to get word to her, for l was refused the privilege of sending a message | at the Spanish telegraph office | This man then suggested that l take a chance, return to Henday, and send the message from there. He also said that he would give me help me and keep me hidden, and assist me in returning after ar engagements had been made. This was exactly what I wanted him to do for it gave me a chance to make final arrangements with the French secret service to capture him.
 Closing The Trap,
 l crossed back into France and vent to the office of the French secret service. Here plans Were made for one of the Frenchwomen attached tC their office in Paris to be instructed and sent down to help close the trap. After making these arrangements, l presented the letter carried to the friend of the Spanish crook in Henday, and he assisted me in returning to Spain. He also promised to meet the woman, send us word when she arrived, and pilot her to the hut in the mountains where I was to meet her
 Word came thrt ugh that the wom- an had arrived at Henday and that on the next night she would be at the hut. l wanted to get my man. the chief of the whole scheme, out of Spain; so, when word came, I pretended to be illt and asked the ring-leader to go tip to the noun tains and meet the lady in my place. l was certain that the chance to get the money and double-crLss me would overcome his caution about crossing the border into France The eagerness with which he accepted the suggestion that he go in my place convinced me that had judged rightly.
 The night came. and off he started, I trailed not far behind him, Event ually he arrived at the hut. Here the crook hesitated. Did he smell a trap? Was his caution returning? Well-there were nc witnesses eX- cept the French police, and at the trial they one and all swore that they arrested him on French soil.
 We now had the Spanish ring