CHAPTER IX.
CROSSING THE BORDER.
As La Croix's party did not seem to be in any hurry to leave Montreal, theBradys had plenty of time to arrange their plans.
On the following day they went to the telegraph office and sent twomessages, the first being couched in the following terms:
"Collector of Port, N.Y.: Swear out warrant for arrest of Clara La Croix, charge of smuggling, and mail at once to International, Niagara Falls. Brady."
The second was addressed to the Customs department at Suspension Bridge,saying:
"Keep watch for La Croix, wife and daughter with four spies. Are going to attempt to pass $250,000 worth of diamonds."
As La Croix was well known, details were useless.
The Bradys watched their quarry closely.
Knowing they had those diamonds with them, and that they would very likelyplay a sharp trick to evade the inspectors, the Bradys were very careful.
Scarcely a move made by the family escaped them.
It soon became apparent to the detectives that an important move was soonto be made, for the four spies were in frequent consultation with theFrenchman and his family.
"They are evidently arranging a plan of action," Harry commented, as he andhis partner traced the men to La Croix's room for the fourth time.
"I wish there was some way of getting a clew to their design," Old KingBrady replied, in wistful tones. "We are completely in the dark."
"That's a sheer impossibility," Harry answered. "They are taking the mostextraordinary care not to let anyone hear a word they are saying or see athing they are doing. I've tried several times, and failed."
"We've got a sharp gang to deal with, my boy. And the worst of it is that$250,000 worth of diamonds makes such a small package that they won't havethe slightest trouble to conceal it."
"As they are not likely to allow so valuable a parcel to leave their hands,by arresting the whole gang the moment they reach the American side, we arelikely to find the jewels on the person of one or the other."
"And I quite agree with that plan," said Harry. "In fact, it's the onlysafe method of securing them for a certainty."
"Have you noticed whether they made friends with any outsiders here?"
"No, they haven't. They keep strictly aloof from everybody. I made anattempt to speak to each one of the party in a friendly way at the table,but they gave me such a cold reception, I had to withdraw in a hurry."
That day, La Croix and his party left Montreal.
Boarding a train for Toronto, they went away.
The Bradys were on the same train.
Once more their disguises were changed, for they did not want the smugglersto see them in Toronto in the same characters, as it might arouse theirsuspicions.
They were now rigged out as two regular army soldiers, and pretended to besightseeing, as most Americans are up in that region.
La Croix and his party only remained a day in Toronto.
The detectives now discovered that two of the spies had disappeared and aswift search was made to find them.
Harry did the investigating.
He finally discovered that one of them had gone to get married, and theother acted as best man at the ceremony.
The spy married a pretty French-Canadian girl.
His companion returned to La Croix's party and the bride and groom startedoff on a short wedding trip.
Young King Brady dropped them.
"They'll be so busy spooning and lally-gagging that he won't have any timeto attend to this smuggling game," thought the boy detective, as he wentback to his partner to report the occurrence.
Old King Brady was watching the Frenchman's party.
Next day the smugglers boarded the cars for Niagara, and the Bradys feltthat their work would soon be at an end.
As the Custom House officers of Niagara had been specially warned againstthese people, they made a very careful search of their baggage and persons.
Every one underwent a most rigid examination.
Not a thing or place was overlooked in which there was the faintest chanceof concealing precious stones.
But despite the keenness of the scrutiny--despite the extraordinarywatchfulness--despite every care--not a diamond was found.
The Bradys looked on eagerly.
Each one expected a remarkable disclosure.
But when they saw the officers baffled, it worried them.
They could not understand this want of success, except by thinking that theLa Croix party were playing some deep, shrewd game.
The Frenchman laughed sardonically at the officers and said:
"Ah, Messieurs, zis ees ze time I fool you! _Comprong?_"
"If any of your party have anything contraband," grimly answered theofficer, in disappointed tones, "you must have swallowed it."
"Zen why you not examine us wiz ze X-ray?" chuckled La Croix.
"I'd like to take you at your invitation, you are such a slipperycustomer," growled the officer, who had had some experience with himbefore.
The party were permitted to go.
They headed for the International hotel and as the Bradys had alreadyarranged to go there, they followed the Frenchman's party.
Upon the arrival of the officers, a legal envelope was handed to Old KingBrady, and he opened it and withdrew a warrant for Clara La Croix.
"No need of this, yet," he grumbled, holding it up.
"We may want it very soon," replied Harry. "They had the diamonds, and ifthey've eluded our vigilance, or given them to anyone else to smuggle over,they'll have to get the jewels away from the smuggler and that will be thetime for us to grab them."
Several days passed by, during which La Croix's three spies returned toCanada, as they were then of no further service.
The day after they had gone, the fourth spy, who had got married, suddenlycame over from Canada with his bride, and the detectives saw them go to thehotel where the La Croix party was stopping.
With their suspicions aroused, the Bradys watched them.
They went up to the clerk, sent their card to La Croix's room, and Clarapresently came down and greeted them warmly.
"Papa is shaving," she remarked. "Can't you come to my room? I'll try toentertain you until he is disengaged."
She had abandoned her widow's weeds and resumed her wonted attire in whichshe looked very young and charming.
The bride smiled, patted her on the head and said:
"I like you. Nothing would please me better."
The moment she assented, the Bradys hastened upstairs.
Clara's room was open and they entered and glanced around.
It was a magnificently-furnished apartment and the trunk she brought overfrom France stood in the middle of the room.
At one side was a closet.
The Bradys dodged into it and closed the door.
No sooner were they concealed when Clara and her two guests came in and ather invitation, seated themselves.
"Well?" said the girl smuggler, in eager tones, "how did you make out?"
"Fine," laughed the spy, producing a package from his pocket. "We kept thediamonds and remained in Canada, spending our honeymoon. When we startedfor the American side, my wife had the package of diamonds fastened underthe lining of her skirt. No one suspected us, of course. The officers onlymade a careless examination of our satchel and valise. We had no troublewhatever."
"How lucky!"
"Is there any use for us to remain here to see your father? We are in ahurry, and can come back in the course of an hour."
"That will do."
"We will go, then."
And they left the room.
A few moments later there came a knock at the door.
"Come in," cried the girl.
Her mother entered the room.
"Where are the bridal couple, Clara?" she asked, glancing around.
"Just gone. They'll return in an hour."
"Did they leav
e the package of diamonds?"
"Yes. And here it is."
Another knock came at the door.
"Hide the parcel!" gasped Mrs. La Croix, nervously.
The girl thrust it in her pocket.
"Enter!" she cried.
The door opened and a hall-boy came in.
"Did you ring, Miss La Croix?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied. "I want you to do something for me."
Rising to her feet she drew the boy aside and held a whispered talk withhim for several moments.
In the course of their conversation he said to her:
"I saw two men enter this room just before you came in with that lady andgentleman, and they didn't go out again, either."
The girl looked startled.
She spoke to him rapidly a moment, and he started for the door.
Before he could depart, however, the closet door flew open with a bang andthe Bradys sprang from their place of concealment.
"Hold on, there!" cried Harry. "Let no one leave this room!"
The hall-boy paused, an alarmed look on his face.