The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-01-20

now l passed the time"
"What passed between you ON that
day Y
"Well merely stepped into his Office
1T was only day before yesterday-to
tell him not to forget to have the mouey
for me by Tomorrow. He took me into
his back office, and as | sat there he said
he would get the money ready the next
day. lie then left me and went into the
front office, where | heard him send
George out TO the bank, to draw a check
for two thousand dollars so | supposed
he was going to pay me then"
What does the clerk say about it ?"
"He says Mr. Bryce remarked, when
he sent him, that he was going to pay me
the money"
"Just so
"And when George came in, he went to
the front office again and took the money.
Then he came to me again, but did not Of
fer to pay the money"
"Had you the note with you p
"No now I r, member, he said he sup
| posed | had not the note with me, or he
would pay it He told me to come in the
next day and he would have it ready
That was yesterday. When / come to
look for the note it could not be found ;
Annie and have hunted the house all
over"
"You told Bryce so :"
Il did he laughed and showed me the
note, with his signiture crossed over with
ink, and hole punched through it
ut is plain, Mr. Wallace, that he paid
you the money, as alleged. or has obtained
fraudulent possession of the note, and in
tended to cheat you out of the amount"
"He never paid me-" replied Wallace
firmly.
Then he has fraudulently obtained the
note. What sort of a person is that Chan
dler who boards with you ?"
"a fine young man Bless you, he would
not do anything of the kind
81 am sure he would not, repeated An
ne, earnestly.
''How else could Bryce obtain the note
but through him What time does he
come home at night ?''
always at tea time. He never goes
out in the evening" answered Wallace.
"But father, he did not come home till
ten O'Clock the night before you went to
Bryce's. He had to stay in the Office to
post books, or something of that kind
"How did he get in 2''
"He had a night key"
81 must see Chandler" said l.
"No' harm in seeing him." added Mr..
Wallace Il will go for him"
In few moments he returned with the
young man. Chandler, in the conversation
| had with him, manifested very lively
interest in the solution of the mystery, and
profess, d himself ready to do anything to
forward my views
when did you return TO the house on
Tuesday night ?' | asked him, with the
intention Of sounding him little.
about twelve"
Twelve - said Anne, "it was not more
than ten when | heard you"
"The clock struck twelve as turned
the corner OF the street, - replied Chandler
positively.
Il certainly heard some one in the front
room at ten," added Annie, looking with
astonishment at those around her.
ave are getting at something, | re
marked. "How did you get in, Nj Chan
dler?"
The young man smiled as he glanced at
Anne "On arriving at the door," he re-
piled, 81 found that had lost my night
key. At that moment watchman hap
pening along, and / told him my situation.
He knew me, and taking a ladder from an
unfinished house opposite, placed ii against
one of the second story windows. and |
entered in that way"
"Good Now who was it that wa,
heard in the parlor at ten, unless it was
Bryce or one of his accomplices? He
must have taken the key from your pock.
ct, Mr.. Chandler, and stolen the note from
the secretary. At any rate, will charg,
him with the crime let what may happer
Perhaps he will confess when hard push
ed"
Acting upon this thought, | wrote {
lawyers letter-"demand against you,
&c,,-which was Immediately sent t.
Bryce. Cautioning the parties not II
speak of the affair, dismissed them.
Bryce came.
"Well, sir what have you against me
he asked rather stifhy.
"a claim on the part of John Wallac
for two thousand dollars" / replied. pok
ing over my papers and appearing ST
premely indifferent.
paid it," said he, short as pie-crust.
"Have you ?" and | looked him in til
eye sharply. The rascal quaied. | sa'
that he was villain.
Nevertheless. if within an hour you d
not pay me two thousand dollars, and OF
hundred dollars for the trouble and anxi
ty you have caused my client, at the ell
of the next hour you shall be lodged
jail to answer to criminal charge"
"What do you mean sir ?"
81 mean what say, Pay or take Il
p consequences.
1t was bold charge, and if he ha
! looked like an honest man, should n
have dared to make it,
t II have paid the money, | tell you
a said he Il have the nole in my posse
SION"
"Where did you get it 7"