Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-09
MONDAY MORNING, JAN Q, 1899.
PLAIN ND oRNAMENTAL PRINTINo.
,INFA TU.A TION;
ORs THE FORGED CHEQUR.
WHO DREw THE cHEQUE.
oHAPTER VIII

cratic quarter Of West London. BE at its head,
its master, was q fine, stately man, wearing in
his countenanee, in its expression and form Of
feature, the impress of true nobility natures
nobility, notths! Of the peerage, for he was in
reality only merchant, though one Of the first
class. His lady wile-sAe was the daughter Of
peer-had Just quilted the room, and left
them to themselves. They were the heads of
the well known city frm "Grubb & Howard. "
Mr.. Howard had walked up from the city at
this evening hour to confer upon matter
which had come to his knowledge, with his
senior partner-senior in authority, but HE
junior in years; private engagement having
brought Mr.. Grubb away from the city at mid
day. FLa''f .ta
@Did you, draw chsque on Saturday morn
ing, before leaving home, in favor of self, and
get it cashedl" began James Howard, as Mr.
Grubb returned to his seat from closing the
door after AdeIs. "At Gyms"
The merchant threw bis thoughts back to
Saturday morning. The reminisOence was un-
pleasant. For a scene had then taken place
with his wife, painful to him, disgraceful to her
He bad drawn no cheque.
"No," answered he es .
"a chqeue for f500, in favor ofself!" eOntin-
ued Mr.. HOword, slowly slipping his port wine.
81 don't draw at Glyn's in favor Of self, IN
terrupted the merchant, ''only at my private
bankers. You know that, Howard, as well as
lido" u, s-a- z9E El..l- luf
Just so. Therefore, upon the fact coming
to our notice this afternoon that such cheque
had been drawn and paid, stepped over to
Gyms and made inquiries"
iWelll" .---.. .-
"Well, there it was, safe enough; a chsque
10 he brotrr, efo h,y
"CharIes Grubbi"
"No; the fm signature Grub Howard
And very good imitation it is. But if It is
your writing, your hand was nervous when
you wrote it, rendering the letters less decided
than usual"
"Who presented if" inquired Mr.. Grubb
"Mr Cleveland. And he received the mo-
ney."
''CIeveIandlp uttered Mr.. Grubb, in the most
astOntshed tone. ''There is some mystery
about this"
$50 it seemed to me" answered the junior
partner. "ClsVeland's out of town. you said,
to day!"
event down yesterday to Brighton, to his
fathers. viii be home in the morning. But
how did he procure the chequei Who drew
it," resumed the puzzle merchant. "Where's
the money!"
at was Saturday morning that you left the
eheqae-book at home and sent Cleveland for it,
If you remember"
"Ah, to be sure it wasl" echoed the merchant,
quickly. "a long while he was gone"
"And during this period, between ten and
hall psst eleven, the ehsque was presented and
cashed. I thought he was of improvident hab.
its, but never suspected he was one to help him
selt--" = g@arF H5
: He cannot have helped himself in this sort
of way" interrupted Mr.. Grub, earnestly
"CleVeland is a wild, random species Of young
fellow and has his faults, but he is certainly
not one to descend to guilt of this nature"
HE is reckless in expenditure, and is never
out of debt-as hear" urged James HoWsrd.
"Yery likely. I don't doubt be is one G. sne
fast genus. But that does not prove he would
defraud Us. The things impossible, Howard. -
"He presented the eheque and received the
money" dryly remarked Mr. Howard. "What
has he done with it"
"But no madman would 90 to work in this
barefaced way, 'neplied his more generous-min.
ded partner, "bringing immediate detection and
punishment down upon his headn
Suppose you inquire what clothes he took
with him." suggested Mr.. Howard, "My i'm
pfession-is that he's off The Brighton tale
may have been blind"
Mr.. Grub rose and rang the bell, staggered,
nearly out of his senses; and, until it was
answered, not another word was spoken
Each gentleman was busy with his own
thoughts, sfeaE @
"Richard," said the master, "when Mr.
Cleveland left for Brighton, yesterday morning
did he take mach luggage with himi"
"DOn't think be took any sir, unless it was
his small POrtmRnteau."
"Did you happen to hear him say whether
he contemplated making longer stay than
usual!"
81 did not hear him say anything, sir. But
Mr.. Cleveland is back
Back" echoed Mr. Howard, surprised into
the Interference.
"He came back few minutes ago, sir"
"Is he in nOWi" asked Mr.. Grub.
''NO, sir; he went out again almost directly,
The cab waited for him. He is gone TO dine al
the Army and Navy" 4rg as1.
"Then no eIucidstion can now take place till
morning." observed Mr.. Grubb, as the servant
withdrew. when he goes out on these drink.
ing bouts be is never home till late, sometimes
not at all. But rely upon it, Howard, this
matter will be cleared up. Cleveland is no for
ger" -''.
"Hope it may" sarcastiealIy uttered the jun
ior partner.
The merchant was seated, next morning, al
| his breakfast alone, for Lady Adela never con
descended to breakfast with her husband, and
Charles Cleveland had not made his appear
ance, "Does Mr.. Cleveland know am at break
fasil" be inquired Of the servant q
T'Mr. Cleveland left word-I beg your pardon
| sir, forgot TO mention it-that he was gone
ont to. breakfast with bis brother, Captain
Cleveland who sails tosday for India"
Twelve O'Clock was heard striking by Sc.
Paul's in the city premises Of Messfs. Gfubb
and Howard and no Charles Cleveland had
made his appearance. Both partners, with o
gentleman from Glyn's were assembled in q
private room, the latter gentleman and Mr..
| Howard felt fully persuaded that the delinquen!
had embarked for India with his brother, or f0E
some other place, not speedily accessible, to
officers of Justice. But ere the clock had well.
finished striking, Charley himself came, in
| bustling and out Of breath.
"Ibef your pardon, sir, for being SO late, he
painted, addressing himself TO Mr.. Grub, es.
peciaIiy after my holiday Of yesterday.
went early this morning to Woolwhieh, and on
beard my bretheE's ship, intending to be up BY
| business. hours, but, what with one delay OF
another, 1 was unable to Get back till nov" "
"Take seat, Mr.. Cleveland" was the reply
aWehsve few questions to put to you
Charles glanced round. In his hurry, he had
seen no one but Mr.. Grubb. His eye now fel
on the banker; he knew him well, and knew
that the time was come when he would have
need Of all his presence Of mind and his eneT'
gies. .-..-.....
"You presented eheque for $500 at Glyn'l
on Saturday morning, and received the amount
in nOtes, began MF. Grub. "FrOm whom
did yon get that chequel" 6fE
No reply,
"PuFporing TO bedrawn and signed by me-
continued Mr., Grub. y ask from whom yOI
received it"
+ ia