Page:Memoirs of the United States Secret Service.djvu/127

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110
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE.

pletely crestfallen. Still, he put the best possible face upon this dash of ill luck in his career.

Upon his arrest, Boyd was soon brought into contact with the Chief, at his office. The case had been consummated with entire success, and the prisoner saw that there was no escape before him, on this occasion. The marked money was taken from him, and upon a brief conversation with the Colonel, the hitherto lively, busy Canadian—who had had an unusually "good time," so he averred, thus far in life—"squealed" before the Chief, and owned up that the U. S. S. Service men "had him foul," at last. He confessed his offence, and declared himself willing to make certain revelations that would be of advantage to the Government.

Col. Whitley then made an effort, in conjunction with this arrest, to capture the bigger sinner of the two, who he was well satisfied supplied Boyd and others with these counterfeits, without limit—to wit, Frank Gleason. He at once sent Boyd to the Revere House, advising him to "sham Abraham," (be ill) and send for Gleason to call upon him—which advice Boyd at once appreciated, and in accordance with his voluntary promise he carried out his part of the arrangement.

Jim went to bed, apparently sick, at the Revere Hotel. He summoned Gleason to his bedside, and the Chief took the precaution to have one of his Detectives secreted within ear-shot of what subsequently might ensue in conversation between these two "pals." Gleason had not been informed of Boyd's arrest, and he only knew from the messenger that his friend Jim lay sick at the hotel, and desired him to come down to him.

Gleason was too old a rat to be caught with this kind of cheese—most probably ! At any rate, he didn't go there. He sent another man, and this part of the programme did not work "all serenely," as it was hoped it might.