Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/115

 "Keep the change, old man, but push 'er through," said I encouragingly, and he did.

The "serious illness" was not of long duration, however, and there was a convalescence as soon as I noticed that Gallagher had given up the chase; so I alighted immediately, and in this instance it was my turn to do the trailing. as I had noticed that he was retracing his steps in the direction of Madison Street.

Noting that he turned the corner, I followed him as far as the Palmer House, and knowing that I was safe from pursuit for the time being, I struck out to locate Mrs. Watson's friend, through whom I was to ascertain her whereabouts. Luck favoring me, I was soon in possession of the desired information, and proceeded forthwith to her boarding house on North Dearborn Street, in the vicinity of Jackson Park, where I learned that Mrs. Watson had just stepped into the dining room for luncheon.

Presenting my name to the landlady, and stating that I was a friend of Mrs. Watson's from California, I was ushered into the parlor and she was notified of my presence.

My visit on this occasion covered a period of about two hours, in the course of which I related my experience with (jallagher and suggested that she leave Chicago without delay. She was visibly afifected by the proposition, and it was plain to be seen that she was not at all enthusiastic on the subject.

"Here I am," said she in mournful tones, "fearing almost to venture on the street, say nothing about visiting the city, and this condition has been my lot for fully three months. This thing of eluding detectives at every turn has become unbearable," she went on, and I could see plainly that she was on the verge of giving it up as a lost cause and surrendering without any further ceremony. From her conversation and manner I perceived that I was up against a hard problem, but it was not for me to quit at this stage of the game, nor could I permit her to entertain such a thought, either. It became incumbent upon me to reason with her, and convince her that quick action was absolutely necessary. Had I attempted to frighten her into going away, it would have been all off, as lack of confidence is destructive to courage, and at this trying juncture she must be possessed of both.

After parleying for some time in an effort to determine just where Mrs. Watson should go, she finally consented to take her departure, providing her destination should be New York, where she stated that a number of her friends and acquaintances resided. I assented readily to the plan, and expressed the wish that she leave on the evening train, to which she demurred, promising that if I would not insist upon her going at once she would gladly remain indoors, thus avoiding any possible chance of detection.

Not wishing to appear arbitrary in the matter, I assured Mrs. Watson that I coincided with her views, whereupon I bade her good-bye and took my departure, after arranging to call again soon, and returned to the Palmer House.

I saw nothing more of my friend Gallagher that afternoon, nor did he put in an appearance on the day following, which convinced me that our race for the street car on Wabash Avenue had settled the question with him. I learned afterwards that h6 had reported to headquarters that I was too swift for him. and had suggested that one more, fleet of foot be detailed on the case if the Government hoped to effect a capture.

The absence of Gallagher, however, did not eliminate the cautiousness that I had observed from the beginning. In truth, his non-appearance furnished me with just cause for alarm, as I realized that beyond the question of any doubt the vacancy would be filled without delay, and in the absence of anv knowledge of the sleuth who might be shadowing me at that very moment, a greater danger confronted me than any yet experienced.

On the following morning I decided to call upon Mrs. Watson again, but before making the attempt, I enlisted the services of a friend to follow me for Page 109