“Is his name Simonski?” asked Willie.
The Special Agent turned and looked at Willie keenly. He was continually being surprised at Willie’s knowledge.
“It is,” he said, “but how did you know it?”
“I caught a wireless message the first night I was in New York,” said Willie, “and it said to watch for Simonski with diamonds. I remembered the name.”
“But you had no wireless outfit then—at least, it wasn’t set up.”
“I was listening in with my friend Roy Mercer in the wireless cabin of the Lycoming. He told me what the message likely meant.”
“Well, you’ve got a good memory. That’s sure. This fellow’s name is Simonski, and it’s the same Simonski that wireless was about. He makes several trips abroad a year, and we feel sure that he buys precious stones, but so far we have not been able to get him. We’ve searched him to the hide, too. We’ve had his baggage examined surreptitiously and our most expert searchers have not found anything dutiable. The regular uniformed customs inspectors know all about him. They have already been instructed to examine him closely. But I want to have him under observation by secret agents, too. All my agents are on special assignments and I don’t want to call any of them in. I was expecting to send Easterly up to meet this ship, but a very pressing case came up this morning and I had to send him away. There isn’t a soul I can send who has had any experience in this sort of work except yourself. Do you think you could help any?”
“Do you mean it?” cried Willie, his eyes shining. “Do you want me to act as a special agent and watch Simonski?”
“I can’t say I want you to,” laughed Mr. King. “I really want Easterly to. But it’s you or nobody. You’ve done some pretty good work since you came to New York, but you won’t be dealing with any rough wool smugglers this time. This fellow is a slick article. If he’s smuggling, as we believe he is, he’s the slickest article we have had to deal with in months. I expect it will not do the least bit of good to send you to the pier, yet it is you or nobody. Do you want to go?”
“Do I?” cried Willie. “Just give me the chance and see.”