When the amount of the genuine draft or check is perforated in the paper, certain forgers have reached such perfection in their work as to enable them to cut out the perforation, put in a patch about the same as a shoemaker does with a shoe and then skilfully color the patch to agree with the original, so that it becomes a very difficult matter to detect the alterations even with the use of a microscope.  This done and the writing cleaned off the face of the draft, check, letter of credit, or bill of exchange, with only the genuine signature left and the tints on the paper restored, the forger is prepared to fill up the paper for any amount decided upon.

The backer or capitalist is rarely known to any member of the band outside the “go-between,” whom he makes use of to find the forger.  He very rarely allows himself to become known to the men who “present” the forged paper at the banks.  If the forgery scheme is successful, the backer receives back the money paid out for the preparation of the work as well as any amount he may have lent the “band” to enable them to open accounts at banks where they propose placing the forged paper.  He is also allowed a certain percentage on all successful forgeries, this percentage running from 20 to 30 per cent; but where the backer and forger are working together, their joint percentage is never less than 50 per cent.

It is an invariable rule followed by the backer and forger that in selecting a middle man they select one who not only has the reputation of being a “stanch” man, but he must also be a man who has at least one record of conviction standing against him.  This is for the additional protection of the backer and forger, as they know that in law the testimony of an accomplice who is also a former convict must be strongly corroborated to be believed.

Out of their first successful forgeries a certain sum from each man’s share is held by the middle man 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.

When a “middle man” is exceedingly cautious and not entirely satisfied with the “presenters” he will sometimes have an assistant.  This is where the “shadow” comes in.  This shadow will under the direction of the “middle man” follow the “presenter” into the bank and report fully on his actions.  He sometimes catches the “presenter” in an attempt to swindle his companions by claiming that he did not get the money, but had to get out of the bank in a hurry and leave the check or draft, as the paying teller was suspicious.

A “presenter” caught at this trick is sometimes sent into a bank to present a forged check where the bank has been previously warned of his coming by an anonymous letter.  This is done as a punishment for his dishonesty and as a warning to others against treachery.