At that period of the winter trains were delayed everywhere by storms, so the “Orange Growers” had opportunities to make inquiries at stations and railroad restaurants all along the line to Buffalo. They were in search of their “brother,” who was described in terms of Kinsman’s personal appearance, and was supposed to be on his way somewhere with another man. At Syracuse an observant waitress remembered their “brother” distinctly, having served both the men when their train stopped for supper. Finally, the two “Orange Growers” got snowed up in Michigan for a time, and there we will leave them for the present.
Montani Quizzed Once More
By Thursday many loose ends of the case were being brought together so effectually that the outlook seemed exceedingly bright.
But only to the executive circle in Dougherty’s office.
Outside, all was dark. Newspaper criticism had become more caustic than ever, and the public, after the ingrained habit of New York, was turning its attention to fresher news sensations.
At a big annual dinner of police officials held that evening, February 22, the atmosphere of gloom resting upon the department was most tangible. The fourteen hundred guests, who were chiefly police inspectors, captains and lieutenants, felt that a stigma lay upon the service with which they were identified. They had no means of knowing, of course, that one week from that night the gloom would have lifted, criticism be turned to praise, and that policemen generally would be, as a witty lieutenant put it, “back to our official standing again—which never was so very high.”
Montani had called at Police Headquarters repeatedly, accompanied by his unseen shadowers. He professed to be anxious to furnish further information, if it lay in his power, and the Commissioner chatted with him cordially, leading him to believe that he no longer rested under the slightest suspicion.
On Friday Dougherty made an interesting effort to “break” Montani.
He now had a minute physical description of Kinsman, as well as two photographs of him. The chauffeur was asked to describe once more the man who had sat upon the cab seat with him. The questions went over details from head to foot, and were prompted by details of Kinsman’s real appearance.