Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

The Skeleton in the Closet A TRUE STORY OF THE SECRET SERVICE By COL. H. C. WHITLEY Former Chief U. S. Secret Service OHAD MET the Judge fre quently and felt quite him. He was a politi cian of note and a mem ber of the president’s cabinet. Because of his prominence and his one time important connec tion with the govern ment, I shall forbear the mention of his name. It would be fa miliar to every reader. One day I received a message from him requesting me to call at his office at my earliest convenience. Present ing myself I was given a private in terview. After a little preliminary conversation the judge said that he wanted to talk to me in regard to a personal matter. He needed my assist ance in an affair of much concern to himself and wife. He then related at some length the history of his family troubles. There was a skeleton ip his ■closet. He had sent for me believing that I might be able to devise some measure of relief. "My wife,” he said, ‘‘is very muca ■worried and quite prostrated with grief. She is In such a nervous state of mind I fear she will break down altogether.” His eyes filled with tears ms ho explained the cause of their Igreat trouble. “She was a widow with Bn only son when I married her. This •on, notwithstanding his moral train ling and tender care, has turned out to foe an unmitigated villain and a con stant menace to our peace of mind. (He seems to be heartless and devoid |of decency and respect for our posi jtlon. Besides, he is a thief. Only a ishort time ago he was arrested in Chi |cago, taken to Baltimore and charged (with committing a robbery in a house \ot ill repute. I was compelled to set tle the case or suffer the disgrace of an exposure. Wine and women are fois hobbies. He is reckless in the use of money and will resort to any means to obtain it. Even now 1 am furnish ing the money wherewith to gratify Ills vicious appetite. God knows what foe will do next! We are living in con stant. fear that he will do something to publicly disgrace us. Now, if there Is any way that he can be got out of the country without publicity, if you can devise any plan to get rid of him without killing him or sending him to the penitentiary, It will meet with my approval. 1 think It Is a case where ,severe measures would be entirely Justifiable. Just think of It! The Scapegrace has gone so far in his de pravity as to escort a woman of known bad character to his mother's recep tions ’’ My sympathies once aroused and a promise made, I felt bound to take souii! action. It appeared a difficult undertaking. The fellow was to be got rid of, but just how was the -question that puzzled my brain. I had ’read of many strange disappearances of persons who were never afterwards (beard of, but the manner of their dis appearance was not always clear. It may have been a voluntary act, mental aberration or the result of a crime. 1 prided myself upon my skill In de ivislng ways and means to accomplish tan end, but the case in hand, after some deliberation, appeared somewhat like perpetrating a wrong deed for the purpose of accomplishing a good result. If the story told by the judge was true, there would be but little difficul ty In landing the rascal in the peni tentiary for the crimes he was com [xnitting almost daily; but a measure of this kind would mean exposure and [disgrace. To put him away by foul [means was out of the question. He tmay have deserved a sharp medicine, and the world may have been better off without him, but there was no [thought of doing him bodily harm. [The idea was to dispose of him and [slide him out of the country tenderly. [The judge wanted to get rid of him, Ifout could suggest no way. It was a delicate case to handle. I knew that :the judge was a conscientious and hu mane man and that he meant no {wrong, and it was difficult for me to (understand tho course I could safely ■pursue. As I turned to leave the judge's office his wife entered the room. I •was introduced, and cast my eyes upon her face. It did not appear quite new to me. Could I be mistaken? Had I met her before? As the possible rec ognition did not appear mutual I was unable to place her. The judge turned away to converse with his disbursing clerk. The wife, who had evidently been informed in regard to the purpose of my interview with the judge, requested me to be seated. Placing her hand upon ni.- arm she smiled pleasantly, while as suring me of her faith in my ability to do something to help them out of the deep trouble they were in. She spoke bitterly of her son and of the many in dignities he had heaped upon her. She wanted to be freed from him. The manner in which he was to he disposed of did not seem to give her much concern. She wished him ban ished in some far-away country; if he Were dead, she would feel relieved. While relating her troubles she chanced to mention the name of her [first husband. On the instant I recog pized her as an old acquaintance, i had known her when she was a rosy choeked young woman some twenty five years before. She was then living with her husband in a little town In northeastern Ohio. This was before she became the wife of the judge. Her first marriage was said to be a runa way match. She was a remarkably beautiful woman then, but there was a cloud hanging over her life. I can not say what it might have been that caused gossiping women to shake their heads and whisper as she passed by. Shortly after she gave birth to a son she left the village. I do not know just where she went, but it was short ly afterwards rumored that she had been granted a divorce. She was now cutting a large figure in society and often spoken of as the handsomest woman in the capitol city. Her husband, the judge, was up to this time quite successful in political life. Possessed of considerable brain force and much amiability of charac ter, he might have risen still higher had not the intrigues set on foot by his ambitious wife contributed to puu him down. She planned schemes to exalt him and to acquire wealth. In making these efforts she aroused the Jealousies of others and made the judge quite unpopular with the leading politicians. Her misdirected zeal not only crushed the political prospects of her husband, but finally resulte# in ex pelling her from Washington society. I was furnished a photograph of her profligate stepson. He was a fine looking young man, with wavy hair, keen blue eyes and rosy cheeks; In fact, much like his mother in her \ Hi\ j TWt'&EPJMwsM/mr/f L\ 4\vi H \ ]\y MMiYzmk/mtrmS fis cJom rum Me&r s/ £2 youth. His face was indicative of criminal tendencies. I was told that he was a difficult man to approach, that he did not care for the compan ionship of men. This being the case I was at a loss to determine how to reach him. It was necessary to Intro duce a stranger In order to carry out the plot I had in view. After pondering over the matter for some days I hit upon an expedient that I believed would dispose of the young man without public exposure or resorting to crime. There was in my employ at this time a man whom I shall call Reed. If ever there was a born confidence man he was the one; an actor that could assume a part, live it and play it through with a face as solemn as the graveyard; never vi cious, but ever apparently in earnest while practicing a deception for mis leading only those who ought to be misled. I had found him on all occa sions to be a valuable assistant In furthering the ends of justice. Reed hailed from the south, had just arrived in the city and was in quest of a private lodging place. The judge’s stepson was now occupying an elegant suite of rooms in a fashionable location. He was so ompletely capti vated by Reed's assumed manners and apparent wealth that he was delighted at the opportunity afforded to secure a roommate. The detective accepted the offer made by his new friend and soon found himself in quite a novel and dangerous situation. He was the companion of a thief whose exploits were liable to involve both in trouble. He had led his roommate to believe that he was himseif engaged in ques tionable transactions and that New York was the place to operate In. "There,” said he, “are chances to make big hauls.” The judge’s stepson took to a suggestion of this kind like a duck to water and was highly elated on account of the proposed trip. He no doubt imagined a broader field for the exercise of his own peculiar talent. On their arrival at New York they registered under assumed names at the Merchants’ hotel on Courtland street. For several days following they strolled about the city, taking in the sights and waiting for something to turn up. While walking along Broad way, near the old Astor hotel, they chanced to pass a middle-aged man who was gazing about in an uncertain sort of way. His dress and manner gave him the appearance of a green one from the rural districts, pre sumably from some place out west, “Here,” said Reed in an undertone, “is the very fellow we are looking for. Let us try a hand on him. I will make him think I have met him before.” Reed now stepped up and accosted the green one with an air of assumed fa miliarity. Seizing him by the hand ho said: “How do you do, Mr. Glick? I am so glad to see you.” The verdant man responded: "You are mistaken, sir; my name is Jones, and I live at Fort Wayne, Indiana.” ‘‘Never mind the name,” said Reed, “I got the names mixed, but I remember now where I met you. You used to run a livery stable at Kokomo.” "Yes, I did.” "Then of course you remember me. I am the man that sold pumps and kept my team at your stable. You and I have taken many drinks to gether.” “Oh, yes," drawled Mr. Jones; “what on earth are you doing in New York?” "Just looking around and having a good time. Let’s go and take some thing.” “Come along, Jones. Let us go around to our hotel,” said Reed. The trio went to the Merchants. Jones ac cepted an invitation to go to the room of his friends. “What Is your favorite drink?” asked Reed. “Plain brandy," said Jones. “I will go down and bring up a bot tle.” As Reed moved away he winked slyly to the judge’s stepson. After an absence of some thirty minutes or more Reed returned with the brandy. He pulled the cork. While Jones was looking out of the window he slipped a small vial out of his pocket and, giv ing his partner an opportunity to see it, he turned the contents into the bottle of brandy. He gave the bottle a shake and set It down on the table. The judge’s stepson’s face flushed and there was a tremor In his voice. He seemed to comprehend the noxious power of the venomous ingredient that had been poured into the bottle. Reed appeared self-possessed and proficient In the art of deceiving and bold and bad enough to commit any crime, while the young man was evidently greatly frightened—not because of any compunctions of conscience, but for the reason that he was, as was after wards shown, a natural born coward. He possessed none of the elements and rugged force of an assassin. He seemed to have a nervous apprehen sion that he was wading In water too deep and d- \gerous. He was heart- less enough, but somehow lacked the nerve to perform. Step by step Jones became drowsy. The stepson strove to rally him to his senses. Jones closed his eyes. What might have been a pnantom o* over heated imagination now became a fearful reality. The stepson was now almost paralyzed with fear as Jones slipped from his chair to the floor. Was he dead or alive? He uttered a low and suppressed moan as his lank and livid body was laid upon the bed and stripped of all its valuables. The stepson, thoroughly in earnest, wanted to take Jones’ overcoat, but Reed said It would be dangerous, as It might lead to detection. I now leave the horrors of this occa sion to the imagination of the reader. The two survivors suddenly left the hotel and crossed over to Jersey City and took lodging at Taylor’s hotel, where they registered under assumed names, as they had done previously at the Merchants’. It was late In the evening when they went to bed. They had left the Merchants’ hotel late In the afternoon. Jones, the sup posed drugged countryman, was not quite as dead as the Judge’s stepson thought him to be. He, too, was a skilled pretender. Soon after his entertainers had ta ken their departure he, possum-like, came to life, got up and took a drink from the brandy bottle that was left upon the table, and made his way at once to the government secret service office, where he told the story of his adventure and received further in structions. This so-called Jones was a detective of marked ability. He could assume almost any character and de ceive the best educated criminal, yet withal an honest, faithful servant to the government. At an early hour on the following morning at Taylor’s hotel Reed pre tended to be taken suddenly sick with a cramp In his stomach. He left his roommate and went below. A short time afterwards he rushed back into the bedroom and informed the Judge’s stepson with a trembling voice that they must get out of the place in a hurry or they would be arrested. Reed said that while downstalre he had torn a slip from a newspaper. He handed It to the Judge’s stepson, who, on glancing at it hastily, at once sprang out of bed. It was a sensational article and bore the appearance of having been clipped from a newspaper. As a matter of feet, however, it had been printed at the New York Tribune job office. It was a nice piece of deception and read as follows: A Brutal Murder and Robbery. Another of those outrageous and dastardly murders which have so recently startled the community occurred in this city yesterday af ternoon, the particulars of which are as follows: It appears that shortly after dark last evening a well dressed man, apparently thirty-five years of age, was found by the police lying near the foot of Courtland street in an insensi ble condition. He was taken to the police station, where restoratives were administered, and when he had revived sufficiently he stated that his name was P. R. Jones and that he was from Fort Wayne, Ind. Mr. Jones was removed to the city hospital last evening, where he be came delirious and died about nine o’clock. The police are on the track of the murderers, who are supposed to be from Baltimore or Washington, as the clerk at the hotel states that they came in just after the arrival of the Washing ton train. The clerk is positive he can Identify them. A frightful ghost had risen and was standing in its most horrible form be fore the now half-crazed stepson. The rope of the hangman was looming up before his eyes. He did not even take time to wash his face, so great was his anxiety to leave New York be hind him. Even the very air he breathed seemed tainted with the foul odor of his crime. It was thought to be dangerous to travel by rail at first, and they started away on foot, and finally concluded to make their way to New Orleans. Reed was, of course, -the ruling spirit and was carrying Out the plan they had agreed upon. They doubled back and forth with the object of put ting imaginary pursuers off the track. Reed was seeking delay for the pur pose of gaining time. When the pair arrived at New Orleans about the first thing that met their eyes was a hand bill posted in the depot describing the fugitives and offering a reward for their arrest and conviction. Staring at the bill with beads of perspiration starting upon his brow the judge’s stepson nearly collapsed. He was careXvorn, downhearted and ready to speed away as swift as steam could carry him. In the course of time the fugitives arrived at Brownsville, Tex. From this point I received a note from Reed saying that they intended to cross the Rio Grande and work their way to the City of Mexico. To the minds of the detectives who played their part In this case the whole affair appeared a farce. Alter a time Reed returned from Mexico. He had given his companion the slip and was quite positive in his opinion that the judge’s stepson would never dare show his face in the Uni ted States. He declared the man was about the greatest coward he had ever met with. Reed was correct in his opinion, as the fugitive, so far as I know, has never been heard of. He certainly did not appear in Washington to further annoy the judge and his wife. He may still be running from a Nemesis that i will never overtake him. I (Copyright, ISIO, by W. G. Chapman.) DOES YOUR BACK ACHE? Backache Is usually kidneyache. There is only one way to remove the pain, you must reach the cause—the kidneys. No better kidney remedy than Doan’s Kidney Pills. They perma nently cure all kid ney ills. John C. Nolan, 173 K St., So. Boston, Mass., says: “I had backache, pains In my head, dizzy spells and urine scalded terribly. I doctored with physicians and t-T“ finally went to C Hospital. In stead of growing better I grew worse and left the hospital entirely discour aged. Luckily I began using Doan’s Kidney Pills and was completely cured. There has been no sign of kid ney trouble for five years.” Remember the name—Doan’s. For sale by all dealers. 50 cents a box. Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y. Had Been Done. “I never saw such a versatile man; he can do anything.” “Why stop at ‘anything?’’’ For routs and (.KIP Hicks* Capt’DTnk is the best remedy—re lieves the aching and feverishness--cures the Cold and restores normal conditions. It's liquid-effects lmmediatiy. 10c., 25c., and 50c. At drug stores. It Is better to inherit a fortune than to marry one. 9 oo Drops , A ALCOHOL-3 PER CENT /Vegetable Preparation for As - similating theFoodandßegula ling the 5 tomachs and Bowels of -Infants v'Chiluhln Promotes Disslion,Cheerful nessand Rest. Contains neither Opium .Morphine nor Mineral Not Narcotic Rnipt tfOld DrSAMI'EimC/TS/l Stnna • fch'UtSmtk .. Aw/4 Sfj * ftpprn»int - \ DitirhenaU S*rU\ • l Worm Seed - CUrS'td J Winkyrren ffrtvor • j Aperfect Remedy forConstipa (ion, Sour Stomach,Diarrhoea, j Worms .Convulsions .Feverish ness and LOSS OF SLEEP Fac Simile Signature of The Centaur Company, NEW YORK. At 6 months old 35 Dostis ~JjCENTS Guaranteed finder the Exact Copy of Wrapper* THE MALARIA MONSTER If the mosquito were as big as it is bad, it would darken the air like a gigantic death-breathing dragon. Each sting of a mosquito sows the germs of malaria. These germs multiply with wonderful rapidity. Then come chills and fever with other forms of malaria that undermine the health and sap the strength. OXIDINE * —a bottle proves. It is the modem malaria medicine and the one sure antidote for malaria poisoning. It lulls the chills. It quenches the fever fires. It stamps out the cause and consequences of the disease. That’s only the beginning of helpful healing work of OXIDINE. It builds up the body, revitalizes the system, enriches the blood, tones up the stomach, bowels, liver and kidneys. OXIDINE puts the body on a fighting footing of superb health. The tonic qualities of OXIDINE make it the best medicine for all weak, run down, thin, pale persons. It is the best body-building tonic money can buy. 50c at Your Dealer’s PATTON-WORSHAM DRUG CO.. M£rs., Dellas, Texes J Household Lubricant li THE ALL-AROUND OIL, ,N ™ E HANDY, EVER-READY tin oiler , is specially selected for any need In the fllWf hr me. Saves tools from rusting. Can can- Qjjpyßp-? not break. Does not gum or become rancid. n.si.rv STANDARD OIL COMPANY HlUtrS tTtnrWairi (Incorporated) The Wretchedness of Constipation Can quickly be overcome by CARTER’S LITTLE LIVER PILLS. A gfov Purely vegetable fiver. Cure jg&ZgSßp WITTLE I«VER O Head- g pills. ne«, and Indigestion. They do their dotyl Small POL Small Dose, Small Prica. / Genuine mu* bear Signature [IONEY-mmc for reference* aa<i M. SABEL & SONS, rniMtfKS LOriSVILLi, KT. la Furs, U.dec, k£2 S Sf frW WmL Established IS6Ce g U I lVv} tpiSO’S-f MANAGERS WANTED SK.tttLW.S: antf a good solicitor. State amount to Invest. Salary tIOU monthly. Psliean Coal * Ires Hyndleata, LoulsrlUo, ij. - ■■■ ’ " ’• w. N. U., ATLANTA, NO. 48-1910. in For Infants and Children, The Kind You Have Always Bought j Bears the JasJi, Signature /J\s * ft iP* In ntj* Use \J» For Over Thirty Years CASTORIA TM« CENTAUR aOMMHT, NEW TORR 0177.