I was in a position to hear a great many side-remarks concerning her arrest, and it was comical to listen to the fusilade of comments from all sides.
"That woman should never have been jugged!" declared a fierce-looking Southerner, as his admiring glances rested upon the classic features of Maxine Elliott.
"I should say not!" echoed a big Westerner, with equal indignation, as he fixed his gaze longingly in the direction of a picture of Edna May that appeared in another paper.
"It's a downright shame!" chorused a third, riveting his affectionate attention upon the beautiful brow of Maud Adams. For the boarding-house at which Mrs. Watson stopped, which was described in the papers as one of the most fashionable in the city, the advertisement alone must have been worth a small fortune, and I have no doubt that prices were advanced accordingly.
Old Oregon itself came in for a goodly share of praise, for if such as the Watson woman could be found in great quantity within her borders, the State Immigration Commissioner's office might just as well be dispensed with, and Western feminine loveliness, instead of the wonderful commercial, mineral and agricultural resources of the country, should be held out as a sufficient allurement to attract the masculine attention of all nations.
My next move, after digesting the contents of the newspapers, was to call upon my attorney once more and request him to make. another visit to Mrs. Watson and assure her that I approved her plan of returning to Portland without offering legal resistance; also that I would leave for Portland myself within 24 hours, and would arrange the matter of bail for her immediately upon my arrival.
Up to this time I had no knowledge whatsoever concerning the method of her capture, and proceeded to interest myself in that direction. This was no easy matter, as I soon discovered, as it was impossible for me to gain anything definite from the newspapers bearing upon the subject, and I recognized the. futility of trying to find out anything through the Secret Service branch of the Government.
Fortunately, I met the friend who had assisted me so ably by shadowing the sleuth who was trailing me on the morning of my second visit to Mrs. Watson's apartments, and to him I related my tale of woe.
"Wait until noon," said he. "and I believe I shall be able to place you in a position to secure this information, provided you work things just right."
After outlining his plan, which appealed to me very forcibly, I improved the interim by refreshing my memory relative to various names, places of interest and dates that seemed apropos to the scheme, and at the appointed hour was on hand at a certain cafe, where a few moments later myself and friend were joined by a third person, who had dropped in for his customary noon-day refreshment. The formalities of an introduction over, I suggested that we might all indulge in a round of drinks.
While they were being served, our conversation gradually turned to the Emma Watson case. I held a morning paper in my hand, which I apparently unconsciously unfolded, and gazing with some degree of intentness upon the supposed likeness of the subject of our discussion, took occasion to comment upon her wonderful beauty, and express sympathy that one of her apparent refinement and culture should be placed in such an unfortunate position.
"Yes, she's a corker all right," remarked my new acquaintance, "but." lie continued with a smile, "that doesn't happen to be her picture."
"Oh, you are acquainted with the lady, then?" I remarked, in an oft'hand manner.
"Well, yes, somewhat," he replied with a peculiar expression. "And I tell you she is a brick at that."
"You see," chipped in my friend, "this gentleman is in the Secret Service department of the Government, and is generally pretty wise on matters of this kind."
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