the grip out with him, seemingly in an effort to determine whether he was being watched. It was all apparent that he felt satisfied with the situation, at the same time, wishing to avoid any possible chance of detection, he took the precaution to come out by the basement route.
"Our boys then watched Puter until he took a north-bound car on State street, when they boarded the next one and fixed it with the motorman to make the best time he could, and if possible catch up with the car ahead. This could not be done on account of the numerous stops, but nevertheless, they were close enough behind to see Puter alight, and were sure of their man on account of the grip he was carrying. They followed him then over to Clark street, and also saw him take another North-bound car. Again they followed, taking the next car and working the motorman as before. The grip was playing an important part now. and was a target for their observation. When within four blocks of the car ahead of them, they noticed that it stopped, and a man got off with grip in hand and walking in an easterly direction.
"One of the boys also alighted and went east on a street just three blocks south of the one Puter was on, making the first corner in time to see him cross over and continue east, our man doing likewise, but when he reached the next corner, Puter was nowhere in sight.
"Our other man had continued north on the Clark street car to a point one block north of the street upon which Puter had alighted, he, too, going east. In due time our boys came together; and it was decided that the one they were after must be within two or three blocks, so they looked up all the likely places, visiting private hotels and boarding-houses, until they finally located their party.
"Giving an accurate description of Mrs. Watson, one of our boys inquired if any person answering that description was stopping there, and upon receiving an affirmative answer, they took the landlady into their confidence, assuring her that they would create no disturbance, nor would any arrest be made that night, but that they must be given quarters in her house, convenient to those of Mrs. Watson. This was agreed to, and she was not molested that night.
"Puter left shortly afterward, and one of our boys trailed him to his hotel, later reporting to headquarters all that had occurred, and then returned to Mrs. Watson's stopping-place accompanied by the Captain, who approved all that had been done, and instructed his men to keep a close watch on the Watson woman until they received further instructions. Nothing else was done until the next morning, and Mrs. Watson was permitted to eat her breakfast as usual, little thinking that she was dining in the same room with her prospective captors.
"At 9 o'clock that morning, Captain Porter called in person at Mrs. Watson's apartments, and knocking at the door, was admitted by the lady herself. Ts this Mrs. Watson?' he asked. 'It is.' was the reply; 'what can I do for you?The Captain informed her that he had a warrant for her arrest, and she simply said, 'AH right, I will go with you,' and putting on her hat, she accompanied him to headquarters.
"We had lots of fun when Mrs. Watson was brought in," continued the detective. "Everybody, of course, wanted to see the wonder from the West, and it is needless to state that every man in the service who could crowd into headquarters made it convenient to he there. The lads all fell in love with that woman. Her independent spirit won 'em to the last man. but most fun of all was when Detective Gallagher blew in. Somebody had met him on the street and tipped it off that Mrs. Watson had been captured. In order for you to properly understand, I will state that this fellow Gallagher had been after the Watson woman for some time, and also trailing Puter in the hope of finding her, but he got slipped up so often that he quit in disgust. When he heard of her arrest, in he bounded post haste, and going up to Captain Porter, blurted out: 'Got 'er, 'ey? Great work. Cap., but keep a weather eye on that gal or she'll turn up missin' afore you can say Jack Robinson. Don't overlook the shackles, either, when she Page 118
