traffic, and that the Socialist movement is only a blind to cover a wholesale distribution of women for immoral purposes.  Drastic Federal action against the Socialist Party is now being considered.

“Still further and more sensational facts are expected to develop at the preliminary hearing, which will take place tomorrow morning.  In case Armstrong is bound over to the Grand Jury, and convicted, he may get a heavy fine and as much as five years in a Federal penitentiary.  He is described as being a surly, low type, reticent and vindictive, of vicious characteristics and mentally defective.  The local Socialists have already taken up arms in his defense, as was to be expected.

“Interest is added to the case by the fact that Armstrong is known to be the man who, at the time of the recent automobile accident to Miss Catherine Flint—­daughter of Isaac Flint, of Englewood, N. J.—­gave the alarm.  A theory is now being formed that he was, in some way, involved in a plot with Miss Flint’s chauffeur to wreck the machine and share a big reward for rescuing the girl.  The plot, however, evidently miscarried, for the chauffeur was killed, and Armstrong, after giving the alarm, feared to divulge his identity but fled in disguise.

“Public interest is greatly aroused in this matter.  And if, as now seems positively certain, this arrest and forthcoming conviction break up the vicious white-slave gang for some time operating in Rochester and Ontario Beach, the public will have a still greater debt of gratitude toward the Purity League, the Vice Squad and the untiring efforts and bravery of Sergeant Duffey.”

“That, ah that,” remarked old Flint, as he finished his last reading, “is what I call literature!  It may not be Scott or Shelley or Dickens, but it’s got far more than they ever had—­tremendous value to—­er—­to the rightful masters of society.  I dare say that this article and also others like it that are bound to be printed during the trial and after, will do more to secure our position in society than a whole army with machine guns.  Socialism, eh?  After this campaign gets through, by God, we’ll sweep up the leavings in a dustpan and throw them out the window!”

Again he surveyed the article, smiling thinly.

“Literature, yes,” he repeated.  “The writer of those lines, and the master-minds who engineered the whole affair, must and shall be liberally rewarded.  Editors, preachers, writers, they’re all on our side.  All safe and sane—­that is, nearly all—­enough, at any event, to assure our safety.  I rejoice that I have lived to see this day!”

He turned the sheets of the paper, to see if any other notice of the affair was printed; and as he looked, he pondered.

“Imagine the effect of this, on Kate!” thought he.  “It will be just as I planned it.  Nothing will be left in her mind now, but loathing, hate and rage against this man.  In two days, she and Waldron will have patched up their little difference, and all will be well.  A master-stroke on my part, eh?  Yes, yes indeed, a master-stroke!”