The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-03-10
Gbe 0intrs, New BIOOuraelO, 1la.

quite still for a few moments, bewildered
at the sudden misfortune that had happen
ed to me.
Charlie Thrapstow was clearly de-
faulter; but there was this one chance
he might have give the checks in the con-
fidence of selling those bonds, and placing
the balance to his account. In due course
these checks which were crossed would
have been brought to the Clearing House,
and have been presented on the morrow.
But it seemed that his creditors had some
mistrust of him, and had caused the checks
to be demanded out Of due course
The clock struck three. Charles had not
come back. The bank doors closed with
clang. could endure the suspense no
longer. Telling the bank porter that IL
Mr.. Thrapstow came he was to be admitted
at the private door, and was to be detained
in my room till / returned, went out,
and made my way to his Office, which was
only few hundred yards distance. He
was not there. The clerk, youth of fif-
teen, knew nothing about him. He was in
Chapel Court, perhaps-any where, he
didn't know. Had he been in within the
last half hour ? Well, no; the clerk did
not think he had. His story, then, of the
customer waiting at his Office was lie.
With heavy heart, l went back to the
bank. No; Mr.. Thrapstow had not been
in, the porter said. took cab and off
to the Off ce of Mr.. Gedgemount, the solicit
tor to the bank. told him in confidence
what had happened, and asked his advice.
"Could / get warrant against this Mr..
Thrapstow for stealing the bonds P'
"Upon my word" said Gedgemount,
az don't think you can make criminal
matter of it. Mo-; don't see how you can
touch him. You can pursue him, as hay
ing fraudulently carried off his assets"
But that advice was no good to me. 1
was wrong in taking it. / think ought
to have gone straight off to the police
Office, and put the affair in the hands Of the
detectives. Dignifed men of law, like
Gedgemount, always find dozen reasons
|
grists to their own mill.
| went home completely disheartened
and detected. How could face my di
rectors with such story as that l had to
tell9 The only excuse that could urge oi
private friendship and confidence in the
man who had robbed us, would make the
matter only the worse. Certainly at the
same time told the circumstances to the
directors, / should be bound to place my
resignation in their hands, to be put into
force if they thought fit.
And there would be little doubt tina
they would accept it. How damaging, too,
the story would be to me, when tried Il
obtain another appointment.
had promised to take my wife and chill
dren for an excursion down the river a
soon as the bank closed, and the youngest
eagerly reminded me of my promise.
replied SO savagely and sternly, that tht
children made off in tears my wife, coming
to see what was the matter, Jared littl
better.
Mr. Thrapstow wasn't coming home that
night, his landlady told me she thought
he was away for little jaunt but sh'
didn't know. He occupied the grount
floor of small house in Euclesford street
Pimlico-two rooms opening into eacl
other. told the woman that would 81
down and write a letter, She knew m
well enough, as had frequently visitec
Thrapstow, and she left me to myself
Then began to overhaul everything to try
and find out some clue to his whereabouts
A few letters were ON the chimney-piece
they were only circulars from tradesmen
In the fireplace was considerable quan
tity of charred finder. He had evidentl
been burning papers recently and quan
!, tity of them. turned the tinder care
fully over spreading it upon newspape
when saw the name Isabel shining will
metallic lustre. Then went to his bed
room and searched that. Here, too, wer
evident preparations for fight coats az
other garments thrown hastily into cup
boards, boxes turned out, an old glove o
two lying upon the dressing table. Icare
fully searched all the pockets for letters o
any other documents but found nothing
The keys were left in all their receptacles
| an instance of Charles thoughtfulness 70
others in the midst of his rascality.
} Laying upon the wash-stand was card
, which was blank upon one side, but on til
/ other had the name of Photographic
printed upon it. The card was wet, as
| it had been soaked in water, and near tn