grin. "Tell
him about the hand-bill you copped, Billee."

Explanations were in order, and with continuous interruptions the
deputy finally heard the story of the cyclone and what followed. He
questioned the boys as to the appearance and talk of Delton, and at
last confessed that he must be the man wanted.

"Though I didn't think they knew just who he was," Hawkins added. "All
I knew was that the reward of two thousand was for the head of the
smuggling system. So they got him spotted, have they? That means we
won't have to work in the dark. It's a wonder the central office
wouldn't give a man the whole story when they're about it, instead of
lettin' it trickle through. Well, boys, it's time you knew what this
smuggling is all about, hey?"

CHAPTER XII

THE STORY OF SMUGGLING

"Between this country and Mexico," began the deputy, "there's a strip
of land called the border--on one side U. S., and on the other
Greaser-land. You know all about that. Across this border run several
roads--passages into and from Mexico. And each of these roads is
patroled by United States officers.

"These men are placed there for a purpose, and one purpose among others
is to prevent the illegal sending into the States of Chinamen. You see
only so many foreigners from each nation are allowed to settle in the
United States each year, and once that quota is reached, no more will
be admitted. Naturally there are always men who want to come to the
"Land of Plenty" and make their fortunes, but unless these men are
within the quota for that year, they are forbidden to enter. All
Chinese are forbidden entry and have been for several years.

"But there are ways and means of getting around that situation.
Suppose a Chinaman wants to become rich. The first thing he thinks
about is America. All he has to do in America, he thinks, is to bend
over and pick up the gold pieces that are lying in heaps all over the
streets.

"So the Chinaman makes up his mind to come to America. He goes to Foy
Lee, a slick friend of his, to find out about it. Foy Lee says 'Good
thing you see me. Sure. I fix you up. Easy. You want go America?
All light. Can do. You got fifteen hundred dollah?' Now where would
a poor Chink get fifteen hundred dollars? He tells Foy Lee there ain't
that much money in the world. So Foy Lee starts thinkin'. He rubs the
top of his head, blinks his eyes, and grunts twice. Then he says, 'you
still want go Amer