He posted guards on each side of the captured smugglers and others behind them. Then he turned back toward the motor-boats. Already the crews had been handcuffed. They were helped to the pier and marched off after their companions. “Get the rest of that stuff out of those boats and in these trucks,” ordered the Chief, “and watch it closely. I’ll have some department drivers down here as quick as I can get them, to take the stuff away. Be sure you stay with the loads until they are under lock and key.” CHAPTER XIX VICTORY Taken completely by surprise, the rum runners dared offer no resistance. They were marched off to jail and their smuggled whiskey carted away and put under lock and key. Alarmed by such vigorous action, and by the watchfulness of the sub chasers, other rum runners remained safe on land. The whiskey fleet, discouraged at its lack of success, drew farther offshore and was scattered by the storm. “They’ll try to get their stuff ashore somewhere,” said the Special Agent to Willie, as they were discussing the situation next morning, “and probably they’ll succeed. But at any rate, they have had a lesson. They will think twice before they try to bring any more booze into New York direct. It sure was a good night’s work.” “It sure was,” echoed Willie, who could still feel the thrill of the chase. Suddenly the Special Agent swung square around in his chair. “Willie,” he said, “tell me how you knew that was Red Anderson. You’ve been in this service only a few months, but you seem to know more that’s useful than half the old hands in it.” Willie laughed to conceal his pleasure. “That was easy. I saw him once in a sailors’ hangout on South Street,” said Willie. “I was with Sheridan. He told me to take a good look at the fellow and never forget him, for he had a hand in half the crimes along the water-front.” “You can say it was easy,” replied the Chief, “but that doesn’t make it so. Lots of us could see a face a dozen times and still not recognize it, especially on a stormy night.” “Oh! It was the necktie,” laughed Willie. “You’d never forget a sailor with a red necktie.” “Whether I would or not, makes no difference. The point is that we got those smugglers. We made a good showing instead of appearing ridiculous. We owe it to you. I shall not forget it.” Willie was too much embarrassed to make any reply. He turned to his work, determined to do even more to merit his Chief’s good-will. He had been lucky, mighty lucky. He realized that very well. It was a sobering thought. But another thought gave him more satisfaction. He couldn’t have had his luck if he had not put his pride in his pocket and started at the bottom. He could at least take credit for having sense enough to do that. He knew well enough now that he wouldn’t stay at the bottom. Indeed, he had already climbed up one rung of the ladder.