awhile with a view of finding out, if possible, whether detectives were on the scent or not. All the details as to where I should go and when I should start were arranged in advance. At no time was 1 to appear concerned, nor was I to look behind me, but simply proceed on my way, apparently oblivious to all surroundings—my friend was to do the rest.
It was discovered from the start that I was being trailed, this time by a younger and more likely man, who proved to be Elmer A. Gorman, a Secret Service operative. There was no more running after me. The tactics adopted by Gallagher were discarded by the new man, who employed more modern methods in the effort to keep me in sight and locate Mrs. Watson's hiding-place.
Whenever I boarded a street car and my new "shadow" found it impossible to reach it without attracting attention, he would quietly take the next—the one ahead being always in sight—and by occupying a front seat, could watch all my movements and be governed accordingly. This process consumed the better part of two hours, when T returned to my hotel, followed shortly afterward by mv friend, who gave me full details concerning the maneuvers of the detective. In view of the situation, I concluded that it would be unsafe for me to call upon Mrs. Watson until evening, when I felt confident that I could meet her without great danger of being observed.
Dusk having arrived, I determined to give the detective the slip, and favored the elevator route again. Being familiar with quite a number of the larger buildings in Chicago, several of which possess from two to four elevators, I walked directly to one in mind, ascended to the fifth floor, and taking the elevator furtherest away from the point of entrance, I descended and soon found myself on another street.
Not being entirely satisfied, and to avoid all possible detection, I boarded a West Side elevated car, and after riding about a mile, doubled back for quite a distance, this time taking a surface car and transferring to one traveling north on Clark street. In this way I soon arrived at Mrs. Watson's apartments, where I found her in a very gloomy state of mind, and much as she felt when I left her the day previously.
She seemed to feel that she was being dreadfully imposed upon, and while I was in no position to deny her claim, at the same time I dared not admit it. I explained, of course, that her present condition was brought about by a combination of circumstances, through which she was made to suffer more than was her rightful due, but that this same situation might have easily befallen any of the others against whom indictments had been returned; hence, since the die was cast, it was her duty to stand pat, and to maintain the same position assumed by her associates in the transaction.
I reminded her that the Government's case would go by the board without her testimony, but that, if she were discovered, the news of her capture would be heralded broadcast throughout the country, and would go down in history as one of the most sensational episodes connected with the trials of the land fraud ring.
My arguments in favor of her leaving Chicago at once were to all appearances having a telling effect. If there was one thing that Mrs. Watson detested more than another, it was notoriety. She would avoid it at any cost, and it required but little further persuasion on my part to secure a promise that she would not ask to remain but a few days longer. Upon leaving for my hotel, she assured me that she would think the matter over, and that I might call for her answer on the following day.
Returning to the Palmer House, I settled my bill and engaged a room at the Grace Hotel, registering under my correct name. I was hardly settled in my new quarters when I discovered that my identity was known to the detective who had supplanted Gallagher. It mattered not where I went, the Secret Service man was right after me, but I did not mind this so much so long as I could keep Mrs. Watson under cover.
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