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to be drawn does not exceed $2,000, 15 to 25 per cent; but where the
amount to be drawn is from $3,000 to $5,000 and upwards, the
"presenter" receives from 35 to 45 per cent. The price is raised as
the risk increases, and it is generally considered a greater risk to
attempt to pass a check or draft of a large denomination than a
smaller one. The middleman gets from 15 to 25 per cent. His work is
more, and his responsibility is greater, but the risk is less. There
are plenty of middlemen to be had, but the "presenters" are scarce.
The "shadow," when one accompanies the band, is sometimes paid a
salary by the middleman and his expenses, but at other times, he is
allowed a small percentage, not to exceed 5 per cent, and his
expenses, as with ordinary care his risk is very slight. The backer
and forger get the balance, which usually amounts to from 50 to 60 per
cent. The expenses that have been advanced the men who go out on the
road are usually deducted at the final division.

In case of the arrest of one of the "presenters" in the act of "laying
down" forged paper, the middleman or shadow immediately notifies other
members of the band who may be in the city. All attempts to get money
from the other banks are stopped, and the other members of the band
leave the city as best they can to meet at some designated point in a
near-by city. Out of their first successful forgeries a certain sum
from each man's share is held by the "middleman" to be used in the
defense of any member of the band who may be arrested on the trip.
This money is called "fall money," and is used to employ counsel for
the men under arrest, or to do anything for them that may be for their
interest. Any part of this money not used is paid back in proportion
to the amount advanced to the various members of the band from whose
share it has been retained. Sometimes, however, in forming a band of
forgers there is an understanding or agreement entered into at the
outset that each man "stand on his own bottom"--that is, if arrested,
take care of himself. When this is agreed to, the men arrested must
get out as best they can. Under these circumstances there is no
assessment for "fall money," but usually the men who present the paper
insist on "fall money" being put up, as it assures them the aid of
some one of the band working earnestly in their behalf and watching
their interests, outside of the attorney retained.

When one of the party is arrested, an attor