| POLICE DEPT. | INGHAM WN 1418 1417 6-38 POLICE DEPT. BELLINGHAM WN. ) POLICE DEPT. BELLINGHAM WN. Left to right: The man sought by police of a dozen states, “Jimmy the Flea’; a tearful, repentant Ruth Romine; ‘The Flea’s’ brother, stolid, silent, cynical; and Orville Wood, who completed the link in the family of forgers. Bellingham police put an end to their crooked careers, and the quartette football ability. Haickel, although young and one of the newest members of the force, possessed many qualities which make up the successful policeman. He was ambitious, fearless and most of all, observant. “You'd better take a run around Old Town,” said Inspector Blodgett, referring to the lower part of Bellingham which con- tained a few Oriental restaurants. All parts of the city were being combed, but a persistent hunch kept Inspector Blod- gett near the lower end. He reasoned that the confidence men had no reason to believe their game had been discovered, and that they would probably try a few more “taps” before leaving the city. One other point favoured the investigators. Both men, ac- cording to witnesses who had seen them in various bars, had been drinking quite heavily. In Bellingham, when word of a crime reaches Headquarters, a bell system is used. The bells ring at strategic points through the city, and all police respond at once. Inspector Blodgett heard those bells a few minutes later and he smiled grimly. Contacting Chief Stone, he received this message: “Haickel has just grabbed two sus pects at a Japanese Cafe.” The Inspector rushed to the place to see the young police rookie with two slightly dishevelled men in hand. HOTEL LEOPOLD Bellingham Late ®) YOU'LL LIKE IT! Page Sixty now repose behind bars serving out 20-year sentences. “What do you want us for?” snarled the younger of the two, a dark, curly-haired young man. His question went unanswered, for the two “artists” were hustled into a police car and rushed to Headquarters. There, with the false braggadacio which characterizes the cheap crook, they sneered at their ques- tioners and stuck to one story— ‘they knew nothin’ ” A chance remark, apparently of no value to anyone, did not escape the ears of Chief Stone and Inspector Blodgett. The younger, still continuing his role of “being tough”, mentioned the fact that he had “just come to town with his sister.” That was the first intimation the police received that a woman was in the case—a woman who was to play a major part in solv- ing this Pacific Coast mystery. By this time, other bars, restaurants, grocery stores and general merchants had been approached and several startling clues had been unearthed. During the day, an organized group of swindlers had systemati- cally circulated among the tradespeople of Bellingham and had passed twenty worth- less cheques for a total amount of $329.81. The prisoners, after futile questioning, were tentatively identified and booked. Then began the game of cat and mouse. “We have to find the woman,” announced police officials. Every possible means of investigation was used. Finally, after hours of fruitless search, Inspector Blodgett came upon his first important clue. It was nearly ten o’clock at night when he contacted a citizen who informed him that a “beautiful young woman had asked him where she could get a good lawyer.” The Inspector and his forces discovered the lawyer. They also discovered that he had left home for his office. The long arm of the law moved in closer, with a cordon of police surrounding the office building. Nothing happened. After nearly an hour, the young lawyer stepped out—alone. He was followed, but he went to his home. Inspector Blodgett stayed at the building. Again something seemed to tell him that his quarry was not far away. WoMaANn ACCOMPLICE FOUND Hours passed. Inspector Blodgett made up his mind to investigate. “I’m going in that building and look around,” he said. In the main foyer he paused, flashed a light around and stopped dead. Not ten feet from him, on a luxurious couch, a raven-haired girl was lazily reclining. The Inspector wasted no time. Stepping over to the couch he said softly, “I guess you know what we want.” “I havent any idea,” the girl replied in soft, subdued tones, “I’m just waiting for some friends to call for me.” Inspector Blodgett grasped her arm gently. “I’m afraid,” he said, “your friends will be disappointed tonight.” Down at the familiar H.Q. the young lady was first confronted with the damning evidence which had been piled against her companions and herself, for she was impli- cated in no minor degree. Slowly her head began to droop and sud- denly she broke down. “You have my brother here?” she asked through her tears. “Yes.” “And Johnny?” she asked. HORSESHOE SMOKE SHOP 106 E. Holly Bellingham, Washington o Restaurant - Lunch Counter Beer -:- Wines Pipes -:- Cigars -:- Cigarettes Open All Night WE NEVER CLOSE THE SHOULDER STRAP