The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-06-18
Intrepid U. S. Customs h
glers and Capture GANG |:
BY C. S. Van Dresser

put 1t, that you will double cross me.
You have been in Seattle some time now
IL it not SO? Then you must be familiar
eith the customs of my people. Doubt
SIS you have heard OF the death Of the
even heavens? Delightful TO contem-
late. All you sfudder."
The suaye, mild-appearing Oriental,
chin Wah. spoke smoothly. almost
aressingly. to Customs Agent Melvin l.
4anks as they sat in the Federal mans
7arked car at midnight on dimly lit.
lmost deserted street In Seattle's China
own.
To look at the quiet unassuming
Oriental. it would have been incredible
0 believe that he was the head Of one OF
he most vicious opium smuggling rings
q at ever operated on the Pacific Coast
Chin Wah's organization was a wide
pread smooth running piece of ma
shinery that was constantly spreading
yoison in the form of opium. morphine
and heroin TO half the West Coast and
as far East as Chicago and Detroit
But TO talk of more pleasant things.
continued the slant-eyed opium raeketeer.
We have watched you and have decided
that you will be very useful 10 Us. You
nave inferred that you will be able to
e5viate the necessity of having the boats
II the SO efficient Coast Guard follow TOO
siosely the vessels of the Blue Funnel
Line as they enter Puget Sound That
procedure has been very embarrassing
y US N the past and you will be paid
veil TO stop IL. I venture To believe that
$4,000 Is an intriguing sum FOR FIVE years
work.
Don't worry about my part, Chin
Waia the agent replied. IN play bali
gitn you. What's the next moye?"
Do not be IN a hurry, my dear Ser
cant Hanks 1t is written that he who
ltirrtes 70 cultivate the rice fields may,
q bis zeal. destroy the tender plants
thin the month shall telephone YOU,
nd 50 there may be no mistake. shall
use the word sBellingham. You com
srehend?"
@. K. Chin Wah. You're Mr.. Belling-
am
"It IS agreed. then. Until / telephone
Bst do not forget my little warning, or
siaaH We say. advice. To q hatehetman
sloo IS princelg sum. This most an
worthy person bids you good evening
The Oriental slipped quietly out Of the
aar and disappeared into the night.
For while Melvin Hanks remained In
thought. Would the risk be worth it?
What if he were discovered? He shsld-
aered at the consequences. Chin Wah,s
organization was huge and ruthless
aile and II he failed in what the Chinese
considered mis- obligation, revenge would
9e swift and terrible. or bis Chin Wah
United, slow and terrible. Wei, the Gle
vas cast The agent shrugged his shon-
ders started his car and drove home.
He phoned the Super. 70. X. Chief.
made it,
5000 boy congratulated the Super
But watch your step You know what
has happened 10 some of the officers III
This division before.
Melvin Hanks hung I'D tie receiver.
the click of the instrument as ii re-
lr1led 10 It's csadie seemed ike d mo-
rnentous signal For the customs agent
nad embarked on one Of the most bizarre
siad dangerous adventures ever recorded
n The annals Of that hazardous branch
q the Federal Government.
For month the customs man went
about his usual duties without hearing
from the Oriental dope boss. II began TO
ook as II Chin Wah had decided not to
rust him and the chance TO smash the
piam ring had vanished
Then. on December evening his
hone rang. This is MFR Bcllingharn.
Sergeant Hanks = announced f,hlp uah