Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-02-13
The Missing Bank Note.

The Missing Bank Note.
evening. He was paying his last visit
to Marian Gilbert, who was to become
Marian Norton tomorrow.
AS the two sat together in the twilight,
murmuring delicious words of Joy and
hope, they were interrupted by the en-
trance of servant with the announce
ment that two gentlemen wished to see
Mr.. Norton Immediately.
"Tell them they must wait till another
time" said Archie; "that [ am par
ticuIarly engaged at present."
"But [ was to say sir, If you please
that the business is very pressing, and
they must see you"
With an impatient gesture Archie fol-
lowed the servant into the passage,
where he found himself confronted by
two rough looking men.
'Mr. Norton, I suppose ?" one Of them
accosted him.
Archie bowed assent, adding with a
touch Of haughtiness, request to be in
formed of the object of their visit.
"it's along o. that missing money" re-
piled the man, curtly.
1t is necessary to explain that a packet
of bank notes. brought by depositor a
few days before to the hank In which
Archie Norton was a clerk, had disap-
peared mysteriously from the receiving
telIer's desk, and though the most thor
Ough search had been made, no trace was
found Of the lost money.
Suspicion pointed naturally to some of
the employees, but fastened upon no par
ticular one. All that could be done un-
der the circumstances was to procure a
complete description of the notes from
the deposition, who, fortunately, had pre-
served memorandum of their denOmi-
nations and numbers, and % keep strict
watch through all available channels,
with view to discovering by whom
any of them might be putin circulation.
1.-THE missing money" !" exclaimed
Archie; "has any clew been gained by
| it?"
"There has," the man answe cred, "and
you're wanted right away"
Archie had been among the most ac-
tive in efforts to solve the mystery, and
expressed his readiness to accompany
his visitors at once, and render all the
aid in his power, asking them to wait
till he should step in and excuse his alb
sence.
"Quite impossible" said the spokes-
man of the two, in low dogged tone, at
the same time placing his hand on
Archie's arm and leading him out of ear
shot Cant suffer ycu out of our sight
you see."
"Can't suffer me out ofyour sight?"
mo seein' as you're our prisoner"
"Your-your pri oner!" the young
man gasped, stupefied with amazement.
"Yes and onless you want to make
scene," rejoined the other, 1.-THE best
thing you can do is to come along qniet-
ly."
"But what is the charge?" asked
Archie; ''surely am not suspected"
"We don't suspect nothin', interrupt
ed the officer, (which that aren't our
business, which is only to take your
body"
Seeing further parley was useless, with
what composure he could command,
Archie, after bidding the servant explain
to Miss Gilbert that urgent business call
ed him away suddenly, accompanied his
Gu stodians in silence.
At the police office he learned that a
note which he had paid out that evening
had been identified as one ofthose stolen
from the bank, which fact led to his pre-
sent arrest.
"A SCdiCA W e1S UllCu llcNC VI U1C pl1SOA-
er, in whose pocketbook was found O
number of bank notes, every one of
which was proved, by its number and
other distinctive features, to belong to the
missing packet.
Atthis revelation Archie Norton stood
overwhelmed and speechless. The stun
ming force with which the blow had fall
len bereft him of all power to make an
explanation, if, indeed, he had any to
offer.
Next morning [ received summons
from the prisoner, with whom had
been on terms of friendly intercourse,
and one of whose wedding guests was
to be. 1 found him in his cell, in halt
dazed, bewildered state.
Surely" said, "you must be able to
account for your possession of the notes
found upon you"
Certainly I am," he answered; 81
got them yesterday from my uncle's ex-
ecutor, Mr.. Gordon, in payment of 6
legacy. was too much confused last
night to mention that"
"Mr. Gordon is a very methodical mar
of business" replied, land may be able
to identify the notes he paid you. In
that case the affair will be easily cleared
up; for no one will suspect Mr.. Gordon
duU IL LIE ItLltulU6IS lTOul WuOIu lie re-
ceived the notes. not only will your in.
nocence be established, but clew may
be gained to the discovery Of the rea
eulprit.o
"By-the-way," added, "in whose
company were you yesterday after re-
ceiving the money from Mr.. Gordon p
"In Ralph Grayson's" Unanswered.
"Indeed!" said. little astonished
for Ralph Grayson, fellow clerk O.
Archie's, had been his rival aspirant tt
the hand of Marian Gilbert, and thei
relations had been far from friendly,-
"Then you and he have become recon
ciled?"
"Oh, yes," he replied "he came hom,
, with me yesterday, and remained till
, started on my visit to Marian.n
"Wbere was your pocketbook mean
time?"
. "Why, in my pocket, of course" sal,
Archie, looking astonished at the ques
, ton.
"All the time ?" I continued.
Gail the time," he answered-"tha