If the “y” has a specially long finish, this shows affectation, but if the same person is also careless about crossing the “t’s,” the combination is an unhappy one, as it points to fickleness in work and to affectation.  A curved cross to the “t,” or the incurving of the first letters of a word shows an affectionate and good-natured disposition if taken separately; but if the two are indulged in by the same writer it is a sign of jealousy.

Writing that is rather small points to cleverness, quick intuitions, a liking for one’s own way, brilliant intellect, and fine powers of penetration.  Round, jolly, comfortable-looking letters betoken a disposition to correspond.

With these hints in mind it will be surprising to find how many caps may be found to fit ourselves and our friends.

CHAPTER XVII

WORKINGS OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRET SERVICE

Officials of This Department Talk About Their Work—­How Criminals
Are Traced, Caught and Punished—­Its Work Extending to All
Departments—­Secret Service Districts—­Reports Made to the Treasury
Department—­Good Money and Bad—­How to Detect the False—­System of
Numbering United States Notes Explained—­Counterfeiting on the
Decrease—­Counterfeiting Gold Certificates—­Bank Tellers and
Counterfeits—­The Best Secret Service in the World.

The secret service bureau of the Treasury Department is not an old concern.  It has not been in operation many years, compared to the existence of other bureaus, but it grows in importance each year.  There are now a large number of investigators, by some called detectives, in the field, but the exact number is not known and will not be made public.

Counterfeiting money is an old offense.  It was done before the United States became a government, but does not seem to have become so widespread until the United States began making its own paper money during the Civil War.  Prior to that time the offenses had been dealt with by states and municipalities, with such help as the general government cared to give.  The increase in the crime, however, caused recognition by Congress in 1860, when $10,000 was appropriated for its suppression to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury.  This sum was paid out in rewards to private detectives, municipal officers and others instrumental in bringing to trial and punishment those engaged in making bogus money.

With the turning out of greenbacks by the government an increase in the appropriation and a more organized fight against counterfeiting were necessary.  In 1864 Congress appropriated $100,000 and placed upon the solicitor of the treasury the responsibility and supervision of keeping down counterfeiting.  This really inaugurated a methodical system of hunting and punishing counterfeiters.  The solicitor of the treasury gathered about him a corps of men experienced