Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-04-23

that he had adopted for tracing the robberies.-
BY singular coincidence within an hour afte
this conversation with Carleton, he was able Il
seize a certain clue, which he had long been il
search of, and despaired of obtaining.
On his return to the hotel, the landlord ad
dressed him thus:
''You asked me if could give you any NOR
large bills in exchange for small ones. L thinl
can accommodate you this morning. have
one hundred dollar bank note, which if you ar
sending money by mail, will be very convenient
''Thank you," replied the agent, lit will be
great accommodation"
The landlord passed the bank note over tn
counter. One may imagine the agents seere
triumph on discovering, at last, one of the ver
bills he was in search of-One that had been los
in letter passing that post office only weel
before, and of which he had an accurat, descr p
ton from the department.
Having made the purchase, he held the BAN
note up to the light.
II suppose you will warrant this paper to b
genuine" ?" he suggested.
''There is no doubt about 1T, sir, said tn
landlord.
''Of course you know from whom you ha'
it2"
''To be sure l took it of one of my boarder
this morning, Captain wilkins"
Il have no doubt but the bill is good" sal
the agent putting it in his pocket. "You ar
sure you had it of the captain9"
20, yes! twasn't an hour ago he gave it t
me-"
''By the way, who is this Captain Wilkins
He's u very gentlemanly appearing fellow"
80, he's capital fellow!" said the landlord.
whats his businesS!"
"He keeps faro bank"
To northern reader, the two clauses, OF thi'
statement may seem inconsistent with each 9th
er. But allowance must be made for the free
dom of southern manners and society. 10 be
at a faro bank is considered no serious stain up
on the honor and responsibility Of gentlemen IL
southern cities The keeper Of the bank ma.
pass, as we have seen, capital fellow" Bu
the agent felt pained to know from what source
the landlord had obtained the bill Already {
dark picture of temptation and crime arose be
fore his eyes. 1t is significant and too often
tragical word-the faro bank.
Captain Wilkins had gone to ride. The agen
pretended to transact little business, maie'
two or three letters, and read the newspape
until his return. The rattling of light wheeled
buggy before the hotel, announced the expected
arrival.
Captain Wilkins-a soberly dressed and polite
individual, whom one might have taken for 1
clergyman out of the vehicle, accom-
panied by friend, pulled off his driving glove:
as he entered the house, and lighted fresh ciga
at the bar.
The agent took occasion to accost him.
"Can speak with you moment?"
"Certainly," said Captain wilkins. The tw'
walked aside together. The agent exhibited tn
bank note.
"Did you ever see that paper before 2"
''Yes, and very recently. passed it with tn
landlord this morning"
'sAs the bill is of so high denomination, yol
probably remember from whom you received
itl"
Perfectly we'll. had it last night from on
of the post office clerks, who was betting at m.
bank, and for whom / changed it,"
(which of the clerksl"
10. from Carleton. lie is reliable fellow
Have you any doubts about the bill z"
mo, if YOU are sure you had it of Carleton" !"
IL am sure of that"
'You could swear to it rs the identical banl
notea" Captain Wilkins glanced at the pape
again.
ats the identical rag" said he; l can tax
my oath of it.
This startling revelation gave different phas
to the business. The finger of discovery, ,seeme'
to point directly at the senior clerk. Again tn
agent on leaving Wilkins, recalled Carleton
every look and word in the conversation he ha,
with him that morning He could not recall tn
faintest indication of guilt. And he could no
but hope that the young man was as lnnocen
as he appeared and that the circumstances woul
prove him so. However, there was no way let
but to follow the thread,of evidence he had s.
far successfully traced.
He strolled towards the post office, and foun'
Howard there alone.
"Where is your brother elerk2" he asked.
"He went to dinner about five minutes ago
rather earlier than usual"
''Very well perhaps you can do my busines
for me. mailed a letter here this morning
which would like to recover from the mails
it has not already gone out" description G
the letter was given. All this was done to pre-
vent Howard from suspecting the real busines
with Carleton. The letter had gone, as the IN
quirer well knew, and he left the office.
But now his pace was quickened. He kney
not what might be the result Of his interview
with Carleton. 1t was u significant fact that h
If guilty what more natural than that he shoul
take that opportunitylof destroying any evidenc
of guilt to be found among his papers at home
The agent had already learned where Car
Teton lived, and he fastened at once to his house
The young mans mother received him IN
truly lady-like manner. .
ale lust came in" she said graciously. Isl
down, will have him called. He remarke
that he had some trifing affair to attend to be
fore dinner, and Immediately went to his cham
Der. You may call him, Sarah"
II have only word to say to him." rephe
the visitor "Perhaps it will be as well for m
to 60 to his room, instead of calling him down.
'EAs you please. My daughter will show yo
the way"
Sarah, a beautiful and stately girl of eighteel
conducted the caller to her brothers chambe
and knocked at the door. Presently Carleto
appeared. A slight paleness overspread his TEL
lures on recognizing the agent, but wltho'
losing his self possession, he invited him to entt
the chamber. -, :,
~ have strange feelings on seeing you!"
observed in very natural tone OF voice. "Whf
Won said to me about Howard has troubled N
more than would have thought it possible
Take q seat. Do you smokeT
s.Not before dinner" replied the agent h
made rapid observation of the chamber as
sat down. you are very comfortably situate
here"
II have nothing to complain of. We live n
ther humbly, but we are not ambitious"
Carleton then spoke Of his mother and slste
in manner which touched his visitor deeply
Could it be possible, thought the latter, that h
was destined to destroy the peace Of that fam
ly? He shrank with indescribable repugnanc
from the performance Of his duty; but it ine'