But Willie hardly needed to take such precautions to escape observation. The passengers were in a flutter of excitement. The usual preparations for debarking were afoot. Many persons were bustling about saying farewell to acquaintances. Everywhere there was great activity in the staterooms. Many persons were packing hand-bags. Some were rolling up steamer rugs and capes. Others were folding outer coats or pulling them on. Canes, umbrellas, shoes, veils, hats, and innumerable other objects of apparel were being collected, so that their owners could debark promptly. No one had time even to notice cabin boys. Those who had not filled out the official papers on which they were to make their customs’ declarations were now working frantically to get these declarations completed. An exemption of $100 was allowed each traveler. He might bring in dutiable goods to that amount. Goods in excess of that sum had to pay the full duty. Always there was the temptation, when making out these declarations, to undervalue purchases. Had these travelers known that awaiting them on the piers were expert appraisers of the Customs Department, who could tell almost to a cent what things had probably cost, their sense of honesty might have been mightily strengthened. But the temptation to avoid the payment of duty often proved too strong, and many articles were purposely undervalued in the customs declarations. As Mr. King had said, many persons of respectability and even of prominence forgot their consciences when they tried to come ashore with dutiable goods. So they misrepresented the value of their purchases. Up to the time these declarations were signed, misstatements could be corrected and trouble avoided. But once a person had attached his signature to his declaration, any discrepancies thereafter discovered in his report might render him liable for smuggling. Up to the time he signed his declaration, a passenger trying to get dutiable goods in free was merely planning to commit an illegal act. Once he had signed, he had committed that illegal act. So the signing was the crucial point; and many and many an intending smuggler has betrayed himself by nervousness at this point. Indeed, many and many a person attempting to smuggle goods ashore has been caught simply because of his general nervousness. Had Easterly been here, that is what he would have been watching for—people who were ill at ease, and particularly would he have been watching Simonski. Willie had been given the number of Simonski’s stateroom. He hardly believed he would find the man there, for it was not likely he had much baggage. Practically everybody not engaged in packing baggage was on deck, getting a welcome view of old New York again. Willie suspected Simonski would be there, too. His guess proved to be correct.