Page:Arthur Stringer - The Hand of Peril.djvu/190



was three days later that Kestner talked with the Department at Washington.

"That was good work rounding up Wallaby Sam," said the chief's voice over the wire. "But what we want is that Lambert woman."

"It will take time," announced Kestner.

"I don't care what it takes," said the voice on the thread of steel that brought the ear of Manhattan leaning close to the lips of Washington. "We've got to gather her in. Casey reports another Indian Head ten from your district!" "That Indian Head ten never came from the Lambert gang," protested Kestner. "I talked it over with Casey and put Wilsnach on the case. It's the work of a Williamsburg Italian named Carlesi, cheap photo-engraving with brush-work colouring and hand shading. And Wilsnach ought to have Carlesi rounded up before midnight."

"But you know what it means to us, having this woman and her old man running loose!"

"They're still loose, of course, but they'd never do cheap work like Carlesi's. You can always be sure of that. If they break bad paper, they break it big!"

"Precisely! And that's why we've got to get them and get them quick. That First Colonial Hundred was one of the neatest counterfeits that ever went