The Barrel MysteryFlynn, William J. (William James)
General
The Barrel Mystery
Flynn, William J. (William James)
Detective and mystery stories; Fiction
"Cecala was persuaded and together we went to the printing shop to
look over the presses. Riso, the pressman, said that he wanted to sell
the press because he had not enough work to keep it occupied and was
short fifty dollars to pay off the mortgage. He explained that in
order to sell it he must first get permission from the factory people,
who held the mortgage. He bought it about eight months previously.
"A price of $85 was agreed to.
"'But,' queried Riso, 'what do you need the press for?'
"'For a printing shop,' I replied.
"'And have you a shop now?'
"'Yes.'
"'Where?'
"I gave him the One Hundred and Fortieth Street address suggested by
Cecala before we entered the printing shop.
"Riso assured me that the press was first class and would turn out
fine work.
"On June 10th, the next day, the press was paid for and carted off in
a covered wagon. I had taken the press apart without arousing
suspicion that it was to be taken on a long journey. The parts were
taken off because of the danger of leaving them on the press body
while in shipment. On the sides of the closed wagon was the name of
Antonio Armato, Bakery. The man who drove it was introduced to me by
Giglio as his godfather. Giglio explained that the press was to be
carted on godfather's wagon because he had been unable to get an
express wagon at the moment.
"In order to keep up the bluff before Riso I said to Giglio:
"'Well, it is just as well. You know where my shop is and can have
this man take the press there. I will remain downtown and attend to
other matters while you take the press uptown.' Cecala squinted at me
admiringly.
"On the 13th of June Cecala informed me that I was to be ready to go
to Highland at six o'clock the next morning. I was to go to Cina's
house and remain there a day, he said, and then I would be taken to
the new farm. He told me that the press had been shipped and taken to
the house by Sylvester, who had returned to New York. Cecala also said
that he had given Calichio ten dollars with which to pay the fares and
that I was to meet Don Peppe (Calichio) at his Jones Street house
early the next morning and then board the train in company with him.
Money would be forwarded to me as soon as I reached Highland; Cecala
had none with him at the present.
"'I hope you will not treat me as you did before,' I said. 'Promise to
pay and not pay.'
"'Have no doubt. I will take in $200 to-night from a man in Brooklyn,
and will send you ten dollars by Giglio.'
"Cecala said Giglio was in New York then at the house of his
(Giglio's) brother-in-law in Jackson Street. This brother-in-law had
married one of Cina's sisters, but he knew nothing about the
counterfeiting scheme.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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