Macdonnell engaged Somerville and Mott, of 27 Chambers Street, to defend him against extradition. This law firm was the legal adviser of Colonel Hiram Whiteley, the Secret Service chief whose acquaintance I’d made through the attempted sale of the ten-dollar bank-notes stolen at Washington. Somerville and Mott decided to use Whiteley in the interest of Macdonnell because of his great influence with high United States officials. Mr. Somerville consulted with Colonel Whiteley, with the result that there was a studious examination of the extradition clause under which the opposing attorneys expected to send the prisoner back to England. It was decided that this clause didn’t quite cover the case, yet there was considerable doubt as to the outcome. George Wilkes, who had been with the forger band in its early operations in London, but who had scented danger and returned to America in season to escape the result of the exposure, saw Macdonnell in Ludlow Street, and it was agreed to consult with me. He and Wilkes knew that I had considerable influence with Mr. Somerville, who was my attorney, and also that I had a fair acquaintance with Colonel Whiteley. Indeed, in the two years past my friendship with Whiteley had ripened wonderfully. Accordingly Wilkes came to see me and detailed the circumstances. I asked him if Macdonnell had any secrets which could be given to the United States government, in which case I said I believed that Colonel Whiteley would interest himself to an extent not yet indicated to me. “Whiteley is a good fellow,” said I, “and will do anything reasonable to make himself solid with the administration at Washington, provided he can keep his skirts clear.” “I don’t think that Mac would squeal--in fact, I know he won’t,” said Wilkes, decisively; “so it don’t look like doing anything on that score.” “Tush for that,” I replied; “I’ll tell Whiteley that Macdonnell has important information about a five-hundred-dollar treasury-note plate that is missing, which I know is giving the government a lot of trouble. On that ground he’ll make a fight for Mac’s release on bail as a reward for the information. Once out on bail, and the rest will not be a hard job you can rest assured.”