The Black Hand

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1:00Meet the Red Bull Dragonberry Emergizer. It's one of the many new drinks out now. Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire? Try them all only at McDonald's. The Black Hand by Arthur B. Reeve. Kennedy and I had been dining rather late one evening at Luigi's, a little Italian restaurant on the lower west side. We had known the place well in our student days, and had made a point of visiting it once a month since, in order to keep in practice in the fine art of gracefully handling long shreds of spaghetti. Therefore, we did not think it strange, when the proprietor himself stopped a moment at our table to greet us. Glancing furtively around at the other diners, mostly Italians, he suddenly leaned over and whispered to Kennedy. I have heard of your wonderful detective work, Professor. Could you give a little advice in the case of a friend of mine? Surely Luigi, what is the case? Ask Craig, leaning back in his chair. Luigi glanced around again apprehensively and lowered his voice.

2:04Not so loud, sir. When you pay your check, go out, walk around Washington Square, and come in at a private entrance. I'll be waiting in the hall. My friend is dining privately upstairs. We lingered a while over our keyante, then quietly paid the check and departed. True to his word, Luigi was waiting for us in the dark hall. With a motion that indicated silence, he let us up the stairs to the second floor, and quickly opened a door into what seemed to be a fair-sized, private dining room. A man was pacing the floor nervously. On a table was some food untouched. As the door opened, I thought he started as if in fear, and I am sure his dark face blanched, if only for an instant. He imagined our surprise, at seeing Janaro. The great tenor, with whom merely to have a speaking acquaintance was to argue oneself famous. Oh, it is you, Luigi. He exclaimed in perfect English, rich and mellow. And who are these gentlemen? Luigi merely replied, Friends, in English also,

3:06and then dropped off into a valuable, low-toned explanation in Italian. I could see, as we waited, that the same idea had flashed over Kennedy's mind as over my own. It was now three or four days since the papers had reported the strange kidnapping of Janaro's five-year-old daughter, Adelina, his only child, and the sending of a demand for $10,000 ransom signed as usual, with the mystic Black Hand, a name to conjure with in Blackmail and extortion. As senior Janaro advanced towards us after his short talk with Luigi, almost before the introductions were over, Kennedy anticipated him by saying, I understand, senior, before you ask me. I have read all about it in the papers. You want someone to help you catch the criminals who are holding your little girl? No, no, explain Janaro excitedly. Not that. I want to get my daughter first. After that, catch them if you can, yes. I should like to have someone do it, but read this first, and tell me what you think of it.

4:06How should I act to get my little Adelina back, without harming a hair of her head? The famous senior drew from a capacious pocketbook, a dirty crumpled letter, scrolled on cheap paper, Kennedy translated it quickly, it read, honorable sir, your daughter is in safe hands, but by the saints, if you give this letter to the police, as you did the other, not only she, but your family also, someone near to you will suffer. We will not fail as we did Wednesday. If you want your daughter back, go yourself alone, and without telling a soul, to Enrico Albanos Saturday night at the 12th hour. You must provide yourself with $10,000 in bills, hidden in Saturday's, he'll progress to italiano. In the back room, you will see a man sitting alone at a table. He will have a red flower on his coat. You are to say, a fine opera is, Ipagliacci. If he answers, not without Genaro, lay the newspaper down on the table. He will pick it up, leaving his own, the bulletino. On the third page,

5:07you will find written, the place where your daughter has been left waiting for you. Go immediately and get her. But by the God, if you have so much as the shadow of the police near Enrico's, your daughter will be sent to you in a box that night. Do not fear to come. We pledge our word to deal fairly, if you deal fairly. This is the last warning. Lest you shall forget, we shall show one other sign of our power tomorrow. Lamano, nera. The end of this letter was decorated with a skull and crossbones, a rough drawing of a dagger thrust through a bleeding heart, a coffin, and, under all, a huge black hand. There was no doubt about the type of letter. It was such as half of late years become increasingly common in all our large cities. You have not shown this to the police, I presume? Ask Kennedy? Naturally not. Are you going Saturday night? I am afraid to go, and afraid to stay away, was the reply. And the voice of the $50,000 a season tenor was as human as that of a $5 a week father.

6:08For at the bottom, all men, high or low are one. We will not fail as we did Wednesday, reread Craig. What does that mean? Genero fumbled in his pocketbook again, and at last drew forth a typewritten letter bearing the letterhead of the Leslie Laboratories, incorporated. After I received the first threat, explain Genero. My wife and I went from our apartments at the hotel to her fathers, the banker Cesera, you know who lives on Fifth Avenue. I gave the letter to the Italian squad of the police. The next morning, my father-in-law's butler noticed something peculiar about the milk. He barely touched some of it to his tongue, and he has been violently ill ever since. I at once sent the milk to the laboratory of my friend, Dr. Leslie, to have it analyzed. This letter shows what the household escaped. My dear Genero, Red Kennedy, the milk submitted to us for examination on the 10th has been carefully analyzed, and I beg to hand you herewith the result. Specific gravity 1.036 at 15 degrees centigrade,

7:10water 84.60%, K-scene 3.49%, Albuiman 0.56%, Globulin 1.32%, Lactose 5.08%, Ash 0.72%, Fat 3.42%, Racinus 1.9%. Racinus is a new and little known poison derived from the shell of the castor bean. Professor Erlich states that one gram of the pure poison will kill 1,500,000 guinea pigs. Racinus was lately isolated for Professor Robert of Rostock, but is seldom found except in an impure state, though still very deadly. It surpasses strict-nine, presic acid, and other commonly known drugs. I congratulate you and yours on escaping, and shall of course respect your wishes absolutely, regarding keeping secret the attempt on your life. Believe me, very sincerely yours, CW Leslie. As Kennedy handed the letter back, he remarked significantly,

8:10I can see very readily why you don't care to have the police figure in your case. It has gone quite beyond ordinary police methods. And tomorrow too, they are going to have another sign of their power, grown genaro, sinking into the chair before his untasted food. You say you have left your hotel, inquired Kennedy? Yes, my wife insisted that we would be more safely guarded at the residents of her father, the banker. But we are afraid even there, since the poison attempt. So I have come here secretly to Luigi, my old friend, Luigi, who is preparing food for us. And in a few minutes, one of Cezera's automobiles will be here, and I will take the food up to her, sparing no expense or trouble. She is heartbroken. It will kill her Professor Kennedy, if anything happens to our little Adelina. Ah, sir, I am not poor myself. A month's salary at the Opera House, that is what they ask of me. Gladly would I give it $10,000. All if they asked it of my contract, with Senior Cezanelli the Director, but the police, bah, they are all for catching the villains.

9:12What good will it do for me if they catch them, and my little Adelina is returned to me dead? It is all very well for the Anglo-Saxon, to talk of justice and the law. But I am what you call it. An emotional Latin. I want my little daughter, and at any cost, catch the villains afterward, yes, I will pay double then to catch them, so that they cannot blackmail me again. Only first, I want my daughter back. And your father-in-law? My father-in-law, he has been among you long enough to be one of you. He has fought them. He has put a passine in his banking house. No money paid on threats. But I say it is foolish. I do not know America as well as he. But I know this. The police never succeed. The ransom is paid without their knowledge, and they very often tick the credit. I say, pay first. Then I will swear a righteous vendetta. I will bring the dogs to justice, with the money yet on them. Only show me how. Show me how. First of all, replied Kennedy. I want you to answer one question truthfully

10:14without reservation as to a friend. I am your friend, believe me. Is there any person, a relative or acquaintance of yourself or your wife or your father-in-law whom you even have a reason to suspect of being capable of extorting money from you in this way? I need to say that it is the experience of the district attorney's office in the large majority of cases of this so-called black hand. No replied the tenor without hesitation. I know that, and I have thought about it. No, I can think of no one. I know your Americans often speak of the black hand as a myth, coined originally by a newspaper writer. Perhaps it has no organization. But Professor Kennedy, to me, it is no myth. What if the real black hand is any gang of criminals who choose to use that convenient name to extort money? Is it the less real? My daughter is gone. Exactly. Agreed Kennedy. It is not a theory that confronts you. It is a hard, cold fact. I understand that perfectly. What is the address of this albano's?

11:15Luigi mentioned a number on Mulberry Street, and Kennedy made a note of it. It is a gambling saloon, explained Luigi. Albano is in the Apollotin, a Camarista, one of my countrymen of whom I am thoroughly ashamed to Professor Kennedy. Do you think this albano had anything to do with the letter? Luigi shrugged his shoulders. Just then, a big limousine was heard outside. Luigi picked up a huge hamper that was placed in a corner of the room, and followed closely by senior janero, hurry down to it. As the tenor left us, he grasped our hands in each of his. I have an idea in my mind, said Craig simply. I will try to think it out into tale tonight. Where can I find you tomorrow? Come to me at the upper house in the afternoon, or if you want me sooner, and Mr. Seder's residence. Good night. And a thousand thanks to you, Professor Kennedy, and to you also, Mr. Damson. I trust you absolutely, because Luigi trusts you. We sat in a little dining room until we heard the door of the limousine bang shot, and the car shoot off with the rattle of the changing gears.

12:19One more question, Luigi, said Craig, as the door opened again. I have never been on that block in Mulberry Street, where this albano is. Do you happen to know any of the shopkeepers on it, or near it? I have a cousin who has a drugstore on the corner below albano's, on the same side of the street. Good. Do you think he would let me use his store for a few minutes Saturday night, of course, without any rest to himself? I think I could arrange it. Very well. Then tomorrow, say at nine in the morning, I will stop here, and we will all go over to see him. Good night, Luigi, and many thanks for thinking of me in connection with this case. I've enjoyed senior janitor singing often enough at the opera to want to render him the service, and I am only too glad to be able to be of service to all honest Italians. That is, if I succeed in carrying out a plan I have in mind. A little before nine the following day, Kennedy and I dropped into Luigi's again. Kennedy was carrying a suitcase, which he had taken over from his laboratory to our rooms the night before. Luigi was waiting for us, and without losing a minute we salad forth.

13:23By means of the torturous twists of streets and old granites village, we came out at last on Blicor Street, and began walking east amid the Hurley-Burley of races of Lower New York. We had not quite reach Mulberry Street when our attention was attracted by a large crowd on one of the busy corners, held back by a cordon of police, who were endeavoring to keep the people moving, with that Burley Good Nature, which the six foot Irish policeman displays, toward the five foot burden bearers of southern and eastern Europe, who's wrong New York. Apparently we saw, as we edged up into the front of the crowd, there was a building whose whole front had literally been torn off and wrecked. The thick plate glass of the windows was smashed to a mass of greenish splinters on the sidewalk, while the windows of the upper floors and for several houses down the block in either street were likewise broken. Some thick iron bars which had formerly protected the windows were now bent and twisted. A huge hole yawned in the floor inside the doorway, and peering in, we could see the desk and chairs a tangled mass of kindling.

14:24What's the matter? I inquired of an officer near me, displaying my reporter's fire line badge, more for its moral effect than in hope of getting any real information in these days of enforced silence toward the press. Black Han the bomb was the lachonic reply, Phew, I whistled, anyone hurt? They don't usually kill anyone, do they? Ask the officer by way of reply to test my acquaintance with such things. No, I admitted. They destroy more property than lives, but did they get anyone this time? This must have been a thoroughly overloaded bomb, I should judge by the looks of things. Came pretty close to it. The bank hadn't any more than opened when bang went this gas pipe and dynamite thing. Crowd collected before the smoke had fairly cleared. Man who owns the bank was hurt, but not badly. Now come, beat it down to headquarters if you want to find out anymore. He'll find it printed on the pink slips, this squedal book by this time. Gensel rules for me to talk, he added, with a good natured grin, then to the crowd.

15:26Guan, now, your block in traffic, keep moving. I turned to Craig and Luigi. Their eyes were riveted on the big guilt sign, half broken, and all a skew overhead. It read, Ciro, the Caesare and Company, bankers, New York, Genoa, Naples, Rome, Palermo. This is the reminder that Genero and his father-in-law will not forget, I gasp. Yes, added Craig pulling us away, and Caesare himself is wounded too. Perhaps that was for putting up the notice refusing to pay, perhaps not. It's a queer case. They usually set the bombs off at night when no one is around. There must be more back of this than merely to scare Genero. It looks to me as if they were after Caesare too, first by poison, then by dynamite. We shouldered our way out through the crowd and went on until we came to Mulberry Street, pulsing with life. Down we went past the little shops, dodging the children, making way for the women with huge bundles of sweatshop clothing, accurately balanced on their heads, or hugged up under their capacious capes.

16:29Here was just one little colony of the hundreds of thousands of Italians, a population larger than the Italian population of Rome, of whose life the rest of New York knew and cared nothing. At last we came to Albano's little wine shop, a dark, evil, malodorous place on the street level of a five-story alleged new law tenement. Without hesitation, Kennedy entered, and we followed, acting the part of a slubbing party. There were a few customers at this early hour, and an inoffence of looking lot. Though of course they eyed us sharply. Albano himself proved to be a greasy, low-browd fellow who had a sort of cunning look. I could well imagine such a fellow, spreading terror in the hearts of simple folk, by merely pressing both temples with his thumbs, and drawing his long bony forefinger under his throat. The so-called black hand sign that has shut up many a witness in the middle of his testimony, even in open court. We pushed through to the low-sealinged back room, which was empty, and sat down at a table. Over a bottle of Albano's famous California

17:32red ink, we sat silently. Kennedy was making a mental note of the place. In the middle of the ceiling was a single gas burner, with a big reflector over it. In the back wall of the room was a horizontal oblong window, barred, and with a sash that opened like a transom. The tables were dirty, and the chairs rickety. The walls were bare and unfinished, with beams innocent of decoration. Altogether it was as unprepossessing a place as I had ever seen. Apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, Kennedy got up to go, complementing the proprietor on his wine. I could see that Kennedy had made up his mind as to his course of action. How sordid crime really is, he remarked as we walked on down the street. Look at that place of Albano's. I defy even the police news reporter on the star to find any glamour in that. Our next stop was at the corner at the little store kept by the cousin of Luigi, who conducted us back of the partition where prescriptions were compounded and found us chairs. A herried explanation from Luigi brought a

18:35cloud to the open face of the drugest, as if he hesitated to lay himself and his little fortune open to the blackmailers. Kennedy saw it and interrupted. All that I wished to do, he said, is to put in a little instrument here and use it tonight for a few minutes. Indeed there will be no risk to you Vincenzo. Secrecy is what I desire, and no one will ever know about it. Vincenzo was at length convinced, and Craig opened his suitcase. There was little in it except several coils of insulated wire, some tools, a couple of packages wrapped up, and a couple of pairs of overalls. In a moment, Kennedy had dawned overalls and was smearing dirt and grease over his face in hands. Under his direction I did the same. Taking the bag of tools, the wire and one of the small packages, we went out on the street and then up through the dark and illventilated hall of the tenement. Halfway up, a woman stopped us suspiciously. Telephone company, said Craig Curley. Here's permission from the owner of the house to string wires across the roof. He pulled an old letter out

19:39of his pocket, but as it was too dark to read, even if the woman had cared to do so, we went on up as he had expected, unmolested. At last we came to the roof, where there were some children at play, a couple of houses down from us. Kennedy began by dropping two strands of wire down to the ground in the backyard behind Vincenzo's shop. Then he proceeded to lay two wires along the edge of the roof. We had worked only a little while when the children began to collect. However, Kennedy kept right on until we reached the tenement next to that in which Elbano shop was. Walter, he whispered, just get the children away for a minute now. It's not just electric, it's Toyota Electric, and during Toyota's easy-to-choice sales event, going electric is easier than ever. Right now, save instantly on a new Toyota EV with special incentive programs for first-time EV buyers and prior EV owners. Choose the sleek busy, the adventurous, busy, woodland, or the sporty CHR. But don't wait, these special savings

20:41won't last. We make it easy. Toyota, let's go places. Meet the Red Bull Dragonberry Emergeizer. It's one of the many new drinks out now. Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire. Try them all only at McDonald's. It's not just electric, it's Toyota Electric, and during Toyota's easy-to-choice sales event, going electric is easier than ever. Right now, save instantly on a new Toyota EV with special incentive programs for first-time EV buyers and prior EV owners. Choose the sleek busy, the adventurous, busy, woodland, or the sporty CHR. But don't wait, these special savings won't last. We make it easy. Toyota, let's go places. Look here, you kids. I yelled. Some of you will fall off if you get so close to the edge of the roof. Keep back. It had no effect. Apparently, they look not a bit frightened at the dizzy mass

21:43of clotheslines below us. Say, is her candy store on this block? I asked in desperation. Yes, sir, came the course. Who'd go down and get me a bottle of ginger ale, I asked. A chorus of voices and glittering eyes was the answer. They all would. I took half a dollar from my pocket and gave it to the oldest. All right now hustle along and divide the change. With the scamper of many feet they were gone and we were alone. Kennedy had now reached Albanos, and as soon as the last head had disappeared below the scuttle of the roof, he dropped too long strands down into the back yard, as he had done at Vincenzo's. I started to go back, but he stopped me. Oh, that will never do, he said. The kids will see that the wires end here. I must carry them on several houses farther, as a blind, and trust to look that they don't see the wires leading down below. We were several houses down, still putting up wires, when the crowd came shouting back. Sticky with cheap, trust made candy, and black with eastside chocolate. We opened the ginger ale

22:47and forced ourselves to drink it so as to excite no suspicion. Then a few minutes later descended the stairs of the tenement, coming out just above Albanos. I was wondering how Kennedy was going to get into Albanos again without exciting suspicion. He solved it neatly. Now Walter, do you think you could stand another dip into that red ink at Albanos? I said I might in the interest of science and justice, not otherwise. Well your face is sufficiently dirty, he commented, so that with the overalls you don't look very much as you did the first time you went in. I don't think they will recognize you. Do I look pretty good? You look like a co-heater on the job, I said. I can scarcely restrain my admiration. All right, then take this little glass bottle. Go into the back room and order something cheap in keeping with your looks. Then when you are all alone, break the bottle. It is full of gas drippings. Your nose will dictate what to do next. Just tell the proprietor you saw the gas company's wagon on the next block and come up here and tell me. I entered. There was a sinister

23:50looking man with a sort of unscrupulous intelligence writing at a table. As he wrote in puff that his cigar, I noticed a scar on his face, a deep furrow running from the lobe of his ear to his mouth. That I knew was a brand set upon him by the Camora. I sat and smoked and sipped slowly for several minutes, cursing him inwardly, more for his presence than for his evident look of the mellavitta. At last he went out to ask the barkeeper for a stamp. Quickly I tipped over to another corner of the room and ground the little bottle under my heel. Then I resumed my seat. The odor that pervaded the room was sickening. The sinister looking man with the scar came in again and sniffed. I sniffed. Then the proprietor came in and sniffed. Say, I said in the toughest voice I could assume you got a leak. Wait, I seen the gas company wagon on the next block when I came in. I'll get the man. I dashed out and hurried up the street to the place where Kennedy was waiting impatiently, rattling his tools. He followed me with apparent

24:53reluctance. As he entered the wine shop, he snorted after the manner of gasmen. Where is the leak? You'll find it a leak. Grunted, Albena, what did you get a you'll pay for? You want to meet a do you work? Well, half a dozen you waps get out of here, that's all. You use wannabeed-browned or pieces with them pipes and cigarettes? Care out. Grout, Kennedy. They retreated precipitately and Craig hastily opened his bag of tools. Quick-waltor shut the door and hold it, exclaimed Craig, working rapidly. He unwrapped a little package and took at a round flat, disc-like thing of black-vulcanized rubber. Jumping up on a table, he fixed it to the top of the reflector over the gas jet. Can you see that from the floor, Walter? He asked under his breath. No, I replied. Not even when I know it's there. Then he attached a couple of wires to it and led them across the ceiling toward the window, concealing them carefully by sticking them in the shadow of a beam. At the window, he quickly attached the wires to the two that were dangling down from the roof

25:54and shoved them around out of sight. We'll have to trust that no one sees them, he said. That's the best I can do at such short notice. I never saw a room so bare as this anyway. There isn't another place I could put that thing without it being seen. We gathered up the broken glass of the gas-dripping's bottle and I opened the door. It's all right now, said Craig, sontering out before the bar. Only the next time you have anything to matter, call the company up. I ain't supposed to do this without orders, see? A moment later, I followed. Glad to get out of the oppressive atmosphere and joined him in the back of Ensenzo's drugstore, where he was again at work. As there was no back window there, it was quite a job to leave the wires around the outside from the back yard and in at a side window. It's not just electric, it's Toyota Electric and during Toyota's easy choice sales event, going electric is easier than ever. Right now, save instantly on a new Toyota EV with special incentive programs for first time EV buyers and prior EV owners. Choose the sleek busy,

26:57the adventurous busy woodland or the sporty CHR. But don't wait, these special savings won't last. We make it easy. Toyota, let's go places. It was at last done, however, without exciting suspicion. And Kennedy attached them to an oblong box of weathered oak and a pair of specially constructed dry batteries. Now, said Craig, as we washed off the stains of work and stowed the overalls back in the suitcase. That is done to my satisfaction. I can tell Genero to go ahead safely now and meet the black handers. From Ensenzo's, we walked over towards center street, where Kennedy and I left Luigi to return to his restaurant, with instructions to be at Ensenzo's at half past 11 that night. We turned into the new police headquarters and went down the long corridor to the Italian Bureau. Kennedy sent in his car to Lieutenant Giuseppe in charge, and we were quickly admitted. The lieutenant was a short, full-faced, fleshy Italian, with lightish hair and eyes that were

27:59apparently dull until you suddenly discovered that that was merely a cover to their really restless way of taking in everything and fixing it on his mind as if on a sensitive plate. I want to talk about the Genero case, began Craig. I may add that I have been rather closely associated with Inspector O'Connor of the central office on a number of cases, so that I think we can trust each other. Would you mind telling me what you know about it if I promised you that I, too, have something to reveal? The lieutenant leaned back and watched Kennedy closely without seeming to do so. When I was in Italy last year, he replied at length. I did a good deal of work in tracing up some Camorra suspects. I had a tip about some of them to look up their records. I didn't say where it came from, but it was a good one. Much of the evidence against some of those fellows who are being tried and vertebrate, was gathered by the Carabineri as a result of hints that I was able to give them, clues that were furnished to me here in America, from the source I

29:00speak of. I suppose there is really no need to conceal it, though. The original tip came from a certain banker here in New York. I can guess who it was, not a crag. Then, as you know, this banker is a fighter. He is the man who organized the White Hand, an organization which is trying to treat the Italian population of the Black Hand. His society had a lot of evidence regarding former members of both of the Camorra in Naples and the Mafia in Sicily, as well as the Black Hand in New York, Chicago and other cities. Well, Cesar, as you know, is General's father-in-law. While I was enabled, looking up the record of a certain criminal, I heard of a peculiar murder committed some years ago. There was an honest old music master who apparently lived the quietest and most harmless of lives. But it became known that he was supported by Cesar and had received handsome presence of money from him. The old man was, as you may have guessed, the first music

30:01teacher of Daenerro, the man who discovered him. One might have been at a loss to see how he could have an enemy, but there was one who coveted his small fortune, one day he was stabbed and robbed. His murderer ran out into the street, crying out that the poor man had been killed. Naturally, a crowd rushed up in a moment, for it was in the middle of the day. Before the injured man could make it understood who had struck him. The assassin was down the street and lost in the maze of old Naples, where he well knew the houses of his friends who would hide him. The man who is known to have committed that crime, Francesco Peoli, escaped to New York. We are looking for him today. He is a clever man, far above the average, son of a doctor in a town a few miles from Naples. Went to the university, was expelled from some mad prank. In short, he was the black sheep of the family. Of course over here, he is too high-born to work with his hands on a railroad or in a trench, and not educated enough to work at anything else, so he has been praying on his more industrious

31:04countrymen, a typical case of a man living by his wits, with no visible means of support. Now I don't mind telling you in strict confidence, continued the lieutenant, that it is my theory, that Oatsezer had seen Peoli here, knew he was wanted for that murder of the old music master, and gave me the tip to look up his record. At any rate, Peoli disappeared right after I returned from Italy, and we haven't been able to locate him since. He must have found out in some way that the tip to look him up had been given by the white hand. He had been a camarista in Italy, and had many ways of getting information here in America. He paused and balanced a piece of cardboard in his hand. It is my theory of this case that if we could locate this Peoli, we could save the kidnapping of little Adelina Generovede quickly. That's his picture. Kennedy and I bent over to look at it, and I started in surprise. It was my evil-looking friend with the scar on his cheek. Well, said Craig, quietly handing back the card. Whether or not he is the man, I know where we can

32:09catch the kidnappers tonight, Lieutenant. It was Giuseppe's turn to show surprise. With your assistance, I'll get this man and the whole gang tonight, explained Craig, rapidly sketching over his plan, and concealing just enough to make sure that no matter how anxious the lieutenant was to get the credit, he could not spoil the affair by premature interference. The final arrangement was that four of the best men of the squad were to hide in a vacant store across from consensus early in the evening, long before anyone was watching. The signal for them to appear was to be the extinguishing of the lights behind the colored bottles in the drugest window. Hey, TaxiCab was to be kept waiting at headquarters, at the same time, with three other good men ready to start for a given address, the moment the alarm was given over the telephone. We found Jannaro awaiting us with the greatest anxiety at the upper house. The bomb at Cezares had been the last straw. Jannaro had already drawn from his bank ten crisp $1,000 bills, and already he had a copy of Il Progresso in which he had hidden

33:13the money between the sheets. Mr. Kennedy, he said, I am going to meet them tonight. They may kill me. See, I have provided myself with a pistol. I shall fight, too, if necessary, for my little Adalina. But if it is only money they want, they shall have it. One thing I want to say began Kennedy. No, no, no, cried the tenor. I will go. You shall not stop me. I do not wish to stop you, Craig reassured him. But one thing, do exactly as I tell you, and I swear, not a hair of the child's head will be injured, and we will get the blackmailers, too. How, eagerly asked Jannaro, what do you want me to do? All I want you to do is to go to Albanos at the appointed time, sit down in the back room, get into conversation with them, and above all senior. As soon as you get the copy of the bulletinot, turn to the third page. Pretend not to be able to read the address, ask the man to read it. Then repeat it after him. Pretend to be overjoyed.

34:15Offered to set up wine for the whole crowd, just a few minutes, that is all I ask. And I will guarantee that you will be the happiest man in New York tomorrow. Jannaro's eyes filled with tears as they grasped Kennedy's hand. That is better than having the whole police force back of me, he said. I shall never forget, never forget. As we went out, Kennedy remarked. You can't blame them for keeping their troubles to themselves. Here we send a police officer over to Italy to look up the records of some of the worst suspects he loses his life. Another takes his place. Then after he gets back, he is set to work on the Miraclarical Routine of translating them. One of his associates is reduced in rank. And so what does it all come to? Hundreds of records have become useless because the three years within which the criminals could be deported have elapsed with nothing done. Intelligent, isn't it? I believe it has been established that all but about 50 of 700 known Italian suspects are still at large, mostly in this city. And the rest of the Italian population is guarded from them by a squad

35:19of police and number scarcely one-thirtyth of the number of known criminals. No, it is our fault if the Black Hand thrives. We had been standing on the corner of Broadway waiting for a car. Now Walter, don't forget. Meet me at the Bleaker Street Station of the Subway at 1130. I'm off to the university. I have some very important experiments with phosphorus and salts that I want to finish today. What has that got to do with the case? I asked, mystified. Nothing replied Craig. I didn't say it had. At 1130, don't forget. By George, though, that peole must be a clever one. Think of his knowing about rice and his. I only heard of it myself recently. Well, here's my car. Goodbye. Craig, swung aboard, an Amsterdam Avenue car, leaving me to kill eight nervous hours of my weekly day of rest from the star. They passed at length, and at precisely the appointed time Kennedy and I met. With suppressed excitement, at least on my part,

36:19we walked over to Vincent's house. At night, this section of the city was indeed a black enigma. The lights in the shops were olive oil, fruit, and other things were sold. We're winging out one by one. Here and there, strains of music floated out of wine shops, and little groups lingered on corners, conversing in animated sentences. We passed albanoes on the other side of the street, being careful not to look at it too closely. For several men were hanging idly about, pickets apparently, with some secret code that would instantly have spread far and wide, the news of any alarming action. At the corner, we crossed and looked in Vincent's window a moment, casting a fruit of glance across the street, at the dark empty store where the police must be hiding. Then we went in and casually sauntered back of the partition. Luigi was there already. There were several customers still in the store, however, and therefore we had to sit in silence, while Vincentzo quickly finished a prescription and waited on the last one. At last, the doors were locked and the lights lowered, all except those in the windows which were

37:22to serve as signals. Ten minutes to twelve, said Kennedy, placing the oblong box on the table. Genera will be going in soon. Let us try this machine now and see if it works. If the wires have been cut since we put them up this morning, Genera will have to take his chances alone. Kennedy reached over and with a light movement of his forefinger touched the switch. Instantly, a babble of voices filled the store, all talking at once, rapidly and loudly. Here and there we could distinguish a snatch of conversation, a word, a phrase, now and then even a whole sentence above the rest. There was the clink of glasses. I could hear the rattle of dice on a bear table and an oath. A cork popped, somebody scratched a match. We sat bewildered looking at Kennedy. Imagine that you are sitting at a table in Elbano's back room was all he said. This is what you would be hearing. This is my electric ear. In other words, the dictograph used, I am told, by the secret

38:23service of the United States. Wait, in a moment you will hear a Genero come in. Luigi and Rincenzo translate what you hear. My knowledge of Italian is pretty rusty. Can they hear us? whispered Luigi in an awestruck whisper. Craig laughed. No, not yet. But I have only to touch this other switch, and I could provide an effect in that room that would rival the famous writing and Belchezard's wall. Only it would be a voice from the wall instead of writing. They seemed to be waiting for someone, said Rincenzo. I heard somebody say he will be here in a few minutes. Now get out. The babble of voices seemed to calm down as men withdrew from the room. Only one or two were left. One of them says that child is all right. She has been left in the back yard. Translated Luigi. What yard did he say? Asked Kennedy. No, they just speak of it as the yard. Jameson, go outside in the store to the telephone booth and call up headquarters.

39:24Ask them if the automobile is ready with the men in it. I rang up and after a moment the police central answer that everything was right. Then tell central to hold the line clear, we mustn't lose a moment. Jameson, you stay in the booth. Rincenzo, you pretend to be working around your window, but not in such a way as to attract attention, for they have men watching the street very carefully. What is it, Luigi? Tenaearo is coming. I just heard one of them say, here he comes. Even from the booth, I could hear the dictograph repeating the conversation in the dingy little backroom of albano's down the street. He's altering a bottle of red wine, murmured Luigi, dancing up and down with excitement. Rincenzo was so nervous that he knocked a bottle down in the window and I believe that my heartbeats were almost audible over the telephone which I was holding. For the police operator called me down for asking so many times if all was ready. There it is, the signal cried Craig, a fine opera is Ipagliacci, now listened for the answer.

40:26A moment elapsed then, not the without Jenaearo, came a gruff voice in Italian from the dictograph, a silence ensued, it was tense. Wait, wait, said a voice which I recognized instantly as Jenaearo's. I cannot lead this. What is this? 23 and a half print street? No, thought they three and a half. She has a bit left in the back yard. Jameson called Craig. Tell them to drive straight to 33 and a half print street. They will find the girl in the backyard quick before the black handers have a chance to go back on their word. I fairly shouted my orders to the police headquarters. They're off, came back the answer and I hung up the receiver. What was that? Craig was asking of Luigi. I didn't catch it. What did they say? The other voice said to Jenaearo, sit down, what I count this. Shhh, he's talking again. If it is a penny less than 10,000 or if I find a mark on the bills alcohol to Enrico and your daughter will be spirited away again, translated Luigi.

41:27Now Jenaearo is talking, said Craig. Good, he is gaining time. He's a Trump. I can distinguish that all right. He's asking the gruff voice fellow if he will have another bottle of wine. He says he will. Good. They must be at print street now. We'll give them a few minutes more. Not too much. For word we'll be back to a bannels like wildfire and they will get Jenaearo after all. Ah, they are drinking again. What was that Luigi? The money is all right, he says. Now Vincentzo, out with the lights, a door banged across the street and four huge dark figures darted out in the direction of albanoes. With his finger, Kennedy pulled down the other switch and shouted. Jenaearo, this is Kennedy to the street. Polizia, polizia, a scuffle and a cry of surprise followed, a second voice apparently from the bar shouted. Out with the lights, out with the lights. Bang went a pistol and another. The dictograph which had been all sound a moment before was as mute as a cigar box. What's the matter? I asked Kennedy as he rushed past me.

42:30They have shot out the lights. My receiving instrument is destroyed. Come on, Jamison. Vincentzo, stay back if you don't want to appear in this. A short figure rushed by me, faster even than I could go. It was the faithful Luigi. In front of albanoes, an exciting fight was going on. Shots were being fired wildly in the darkness and heads were popping out of tenement windows on all sides. As Kennedy and I flung ourselves into the crowd, we caught a glimpse of Jenaearo with blood streaming from a cut in his shoulder, struggling with the policemen, while Luigi van Lee was trying to interpose himself between them. A man, held by another policeman, was urging the first officer on. That's the man he was crying. That's the kidnapper. I caught him. In a moment, Kennedy was behind him. Peoli, you lie. You are the kidnapper. Seize him. He has the money on him. That other is Jenaearo himself. The policeman released the tenor and both of them seized Peoli. The others were beating at the door, which was being frantically barricaded inside. Just then, a taxi cab came

43:35swinging up the street. Three men jumped out and added their strength to those who were battering down Albano's barricade. Jenaearo with a cry leaped into the taxi cab. Over his shoulder, I could see a tangled mask of dark brown curls and a childish voice list. Why didn't you come for me, Papa? The bad man told me if I waited in the yard, you would come for me. But if I cried, he said he would shoot me, and I waited and waited. There's the Ardena. Papa's going to take you straight home to mother. A crash followed as the door yielded, and the famous Peoli gang was in the hands of the law. End of the Black Hand by Arthur B. Rive.