1940-01-22 — Page 15

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 22, 1940

REAL LIFE DETECTIVE TRIUMPHS

THE PERFECT

SMASHED

Jone E. Wilkie, one of the ablest chiefs ever to preside over operations of the United States Secret Service made his biggest hit when he smash- ed a "perfect alibi" that was being used to cover up a million dollar counterfeiting conspiracy.

him

Word came to him that bogus $100 bills were being passed in St. Louis during the time of the National Ex- position in that city. One particular bill was traced to a "bookle" at the race track. He said it had been given to him by a stranger, but that he could recognize him if he saw again. The booth of the bookmaker was surrounded by detectives and that afternoon a distinguished looking $100 man came up and tendered a bill as a bet on one of the horses. It was the man who had passed the bad bill the day before.

Taken into custody 15 other coun- terfeit bills of the same denominiation were found in an envelope in his pocket. He said his name was Sol Maxwell and that he was in business in Chicago. He gave the names of a number of banks and business men

-By

GEORGE BARTON

as references and said they would character. They testify to his good did. His statements were confirmed in every particular.

*

•

GERMAN ALIBI FIRMS UP

AGAINST IT

the "ad" taker at the Globe-Democrat said he had handed in the "ad" at five o'clock that afternoon.

✡

*

[SPECIAL TO “THE CHINA MAIL”)

SHANGHAI, YESTERDAY. WHILE THE BUSINESS OF GER- MAN FIRMS IS STILL RATHER SATISFACTORY IN SHANGHAI AND *SEVERAL OTHER PORTS

IN CHINA, IT 18 BECOMING VERY. DIFFICULT IN FREE CHINA.

Before the China war most German goods for Chungking, Yunnanfu and other places inland were shipped by French Indo-China.

At present the representatives of German firms in those areas no longer see the possibility of continuing their business on a large scale, and recently the of fices of the biggest German chemical trust closed in Kunming and Changsha. During the last few weeks some German goods ordered before the Allied embargo on Maxwell's

German exports have arrived in China via Indo- China. They had been paid for in ad- vance. Havas.

But in spite of this plausible story and the distinguished appearance of the man, Wilkie was not satisfled. He returned to his hotel and went into a mental "huddle" with himself. One

detail in circumstantial story concerned the turning on of the lights in the Union Station.

It was the clue that solved the mystery. Wilkie got into touch with the Electric Light Company and asked when the lights had been turned on that even- ing. He was told that it was exactly

5.40.

That smashed the Maxwell alibi. In other words he had handed In the "ad" at the office of the Globe- Democrat FORTY MINUTES BE- FORE THE TIME HE CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND THE MONEY.

The detective invited Maxwell to dine with him that night. After finishing a delightful meal and light- ing the inevitable cigars, Wilkie con-

fronted him with the evidence. told Maxwell that he understood the

FUTURE

VIEWED

WITH GLOOM

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Oslo, Yesterday.

"I view the future with gloom when I think that this He is a moment when the Euro- situation. The stranger was an expert pean conflict is starting in engraver and in his pride he had at-earnest," declared King Wilkie considered the case so im- tempted to compete with the amaz- Haakon speaking at a recep- portant that he hastened from Wash-ingly good ington in order to take personal Engraving and Printing. But he told tion he gave to members of charge of the investigation. He treat-him that it was futile, that he could the Norwegian Parliament.

not beat Uncle Sam at that game. desire Finally he urged him to make a

work of the Bureau of

clean breast of it.

ed Mr. Sol Maxwell with every con- sideration and said his only was to get his co-operation in run-

the ning down the source of

bad The culprit broke down and con- had fessed. He had been a Maxwell said that he

reputable money. come to St. Louis to visit the Ex-man, but was tempted to make easy Sou-money. If he had succeeded he position. He registered at the thern Hotel and late on the after-would have made millions. But he noon of that day went to the Union had failed. Station to arrange for his return tran- sportation.

the

As he left the ticket window electric lights in the station were turned on and he saw a long wh envelope on the tiled floor. Picking it up he found that it contained $3,000 in' $100 bills. He decided to adver- tise it at once. He went to the office of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and inserted a notice in the "Lost and Found" column saying he had found the money and would return it on proof of ownership. It was not claim- ed and he had started to bet the money on the horses.

His story was verified down to the last detail. The ticket agent at the

him railroad station recognized the man who had bought transporta- tion at about the time indicated and

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ឆន

to

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If your blood is impoverished, you may easily fall victim to any one of many health ailments, such as digestive disorders, nerva troubles, premature ageing, insomnia, loss of weight and strength, rheumatic complaints, back pains, mal-nutrition, and the health disturbances which affect "women.

If you are run-down, therefore, build up your blood with Dr. Williams' Pink will surely be dilighted with wement in your condi-

The missing 40 minutes had smashed his nearly perfect alibi and the slip cost the counterfeiter five years in a Federal penitentiary.

NORWAY'S FIRST DUTY

OSLO, YESTERDAY. THE NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER, MR. J. NYGAARDS- VOLD, DECLARED IN PARLIA- MENT THAT THE FIRST DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO KEEP THE COUNTRY OUT OF WAR.

The Government would according- ly continue a strong policy of neu- trality "without regard to sym- pathies."

The Premier added, however: “As- things are now, we shall defend our-

selves with all means at our dis- posal if the country is attacked."- Reuter.

NAZI WAR FRONT COMMUNIQUE

Berlin, Yesterday. A High Command communique states: "Between the Moselle and the Palatinate Forest a patrol made several prisoners in a clash with French patrols.

"The air force carried out recon- naissance flights over the French frontier district. Öne German plane was lost." Reuter.

SUPPLY COMMITTER

first area

The King said Norway had for- of tunately managed to keep out the war but there were numerous Finno- difficulties ahead, and the Russian war was a new and danger- ous factor,

King Haakon concluded by ex- pressing the hope that the Finnish conflict would soon be, ended.

The Chairman of the Chamber, Mr. C. J.-Hambro, replied stressing Nor- way's desire for peace, liberty and Independence, and also Norway's

PRESIDENT LINER SAILINGS

Kitty

11:29

GR-R-A

iflefs, The)′′

The man who is the life of the. party often turns out to be a heal If there's any hard work to be done.

PARLEY PROPOSAL

-

GENEVA, YESTERDAY. THE PRESIDENT OF THE PAN EUROPEAN UNION AN- NOUNCED TO-DAY THAT HE HAD ASKED DR. SALÁZAR, THE PORTUGUESE PREMIER, TO SUMMON A. CONFERENCE AT LISBON TO CO-ORDINATE AID FOR FINLAND.

Portugal, he added, was ideal for the purpose in view of her good re- Iations with both the Democracies and the Totalitarian nations and her geographical position, and was bet- ter qualified than the League of Na- tions or neutral nations adjoining Russia and Germany. Reuter.

friendly feelings for the Finns.

He hoped.Finland would be able to obtain an honourable peace. Havas.

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