“However, there will be some expense attached to it,” he explained, “for I had to consult with an attorney in Washington, and his price is pretty stiff. I’ll have to give him ten thousand or nearly that, and there are some other charges.” I knew what he meant, but I wondered if that wasn’t a pretty stiff law fee where there’d been nothing more than a consultation. However, knowing Macdonnell had made money, I was agreeable, and declared that ten thousand dollars would be placed in a Wall Street trust company subject to the colonel’s order. Immediately I sent for Wilkes, told him of the situation, and advised him to get from Macdonnell twelve one thousand-dollar bonds and that I’d see they got to the right place. Wilkes reported to Macdonnell, who wrote to Captain Irving, requesting him to deliver the bearer twelve of the bonds left in his keeping. A message came back that staggered Macdonnell: “Let the matter stand as it is for the present--the Pinkertons may demand the surrender of the property,” it read. Macdonnell knew that no one besides himself, Detective Farley, and Captain Irving had witnessed the passage of the bonds on board the steamer. In desperation, another message was sent to Irving, but there was no reply to it. Macdonnell was dumfounded. He’d always been on the “square” with the Bank Ring. Finally there had come a “throw-down”--the Ring had “done” him. “It’s a freeze-out,” he gasped to Wilkes. “What about the trunk at the custom-house?” asked his friend. “I don’t dare have any one call for it. If it’s examined, that end of the game will be gone, too.” “I told Bliss about it,” said Wilkes, meaning me, “and he told me that if you’d say the word he’d have the trunk sent to any address you mention within twenty-four hours.” “I’m afraid to risk it--Bliss is right, but I’m afraid to try it; maybe a woman might get it. What do you think? My sister can try it.” “Think you’d better trust to Bliss, George,” advised Wilkes; “he stands high with Chief Whiteley of the Secret Service. If Whiteley asks for the trunk on the ground that it will further the interests of the service, he’ll get it without an inspection being made.” “I don’t trust Whiteley,” said Macdonnell; “my sister’ll get it--Mrs. Hosgrove.”