This same postmaster had unwittingly imparted to a third person full information pertaining to Gallagher's presence, and that he was in La Crosse for the purpose of watching McKinley, with a view of ultimately ascertaining the whereabouts of Mrs. Watson, and getting her within the grasp of the law.
The one with whom the postmaster had thus discussed the confidential relations of the Government, happened to be a close friend of McKinley's, and in consequence the latter was on the ground floor concerning the secret movements to effect the capture of one of our crowd.
The next subject for consideration was the matter of getting hold of the letter addressed to "Emma Porter." I was fully aware that Mrs. Watson, alias Porter, had never entertained any idea of visiting La Crosse, and was satisfied from the first that this was simply a Secret Service trick to trap her in some way. Notwithstanding this fact, however, my curiosity was aroused, and I was determined to secure the letter at whatever cost.
I could not obtain it from the local postoffice, for obvious reasons, so I conceived another plan, which, although rather roundabout in design, eventually terminated with success.
Resolving to take the 2:30 p. m. train for Milwaukee, it became necessary for me to give Gallagher the slip, so McKinley and I proceeded to avail ourselves of another "constitutional," and we had scarcely taken a dozen paces before we realized that our faithful watchdog was in close attendance.
We trudged along leisurely for something like an hour, until a few moments before train time, when, noticing that Gallagher was keeping us under close surveillance about a block away, we stopped in front of a large department store, and began to feast our eyes on the displays in the show-windows. Pointing my finger in the direction of some article as if contemplating a purchase, I told McKinley to keep cases on our man while I made my getaway.
Entering the front door of the establishment and leaving Horace on the outside, I hurried on through to another street, which placed me within about three squares of the depot, and I reached there just as the train was pulling out. Probably Gallagher would be still standing on the corner had he not observed McKinley pass by him alone some ten minutes later, and realized that I had disappeared.
Arriving in Milwaukee, I addressed a letter to the La Crosse postmaster, in close imitation of Mrs. Watson's handwriting, instructing him to forward all mail to Milwaukee, in care of the Republican House. This note was signed "Mrs. Emma Porter" by me.
I then went to Chicago, and after waiting until I felt confident the letter would have time to reach Milwaukee, I wrote a letter to the clerk of the Republican House, similar to the one sent to the postmaster, asking that all mail should be forwarded to Chicago, in care of the Great Northern Hotel.
Securing a lot of commercial stationery from various prominent houses of Chicago, I addressed several letters to myself, care Great Northern Hotel, city, all of which purported to be of a business character.
After waiting until such time as I had reason to believe the "Porter" letter had put in an appearance, I sauntered into the office of the Great Northern Hotel and proceeded to make myself at home. I perceived, immediately upon entering, that my old friend Gallagher was there with bells. His eagle eye had focussed me the moment I entered, and it was as good as a circus to watch his maneuvers. I walked past him unconcernedly and took a seat near by, pretending to read the newspapers.
In a little while I arose and going to the office desk, asked the clerk to please hand me the mail in box "P." This request was complied with, as it is customary in all the leading hotels for the entire contents of a box to be delivered to any guest making inquiry for a certain initial of the alphabet.
Glancing through the letters, I noticed one addressed to Mrs. Emma Porter, and it bore evidence of having been directed at the Great Northern
