The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-07-12
Change for a Bank Note.

Archie Norton was happy man that
evening. lie was paying his last visit to
Marian Gilbert, who was to become Mar
ian Norton tomorrow.
As the two sat together in the twi-
light, murmuring delicious words of joy
and hope, they were interrupted by the
entrance of a servant with the announce
ment that two gentlemen wished to see
Mr. Norton Immediately.
''Tell them they must wait till an
other time," said Archie; 'that | am
particularly engaged at present"
''But l 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, suppose2" one Of
them accosted him.
Archie bowed assent, adding with a
touch of haughtiness, request to be
informed of the object OF their visit.
tits along o that missing money"
replied the man, curt|y.
1t is necessary 10 explain that a packet
OF bank notes, brought by depostor a
few days before to the bank in VIII
Archie Norton was clerk, had diSap-
peared mysteriously from the receiving
teller's desk, and though the most
thorough search had been made, no
trace was found of the lost money.
Suspicion pointed naturally to some
of the employees, but fastened upon no
articular one. All that could be done
under the circumstances was to procure
a complete descripti of the notes from
the depositor, who. fortunately, had
preserved memorandum of their de-
nominations and numbers, and to keep
strict watch through all available cham
nels, with view t.; discovering by
whom any Ct them might be put in cir
culation.
'The missing money I" exclaimed
Archie; ''has any clew been gained of
it ?"
"There has, the man answered. "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 ab-
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 you cut of our sight,
you see.'
"Can't suffer me out of your sight? ?"
''No; seein' as you're oar prisoner"
"Your-your prisoner!" the young
man gasped, stupefed with amaz-ment.
"Yes; and onless you want to make q
scene rejoined the other, "the best
thing you can do is to come along
quietly"
"But what is the charger" asked
Archie; "surely | am not suspected -
"We don't suspect nothin," inter
rupted the officer, "which that aren't
our business, which is only to take you,
body"
Seeing further parley was useless
with what composure he could command
Archie. after bidding the servant ex.
plain to Miss Gilbert that urgent bust
ness called him away suddenly, accom-.
panied his custodians in silence.
At the police Office he learned that a
note which he had pa d out that even.
ing had been identified as one of those
stolen from the bank, which fact led to
Ills pTeScnC dTTeSt.
A search was then made of the pris.
oner, in whose pocketbook was found a
number of bank notes, every one oil
which was proved, by its number and
other distinctive features, to belong tc
the missing packet.
At this revelation Archie Norton stood
overwhelmed and spe-chless. The stun.
ming force with which the blow haG
fallen brreft him Of all power to make
an explanation, if, indeed, he had any to
offer.
Next morning received summon:
from the prisoner, with whom l had
been on terms of friendly intercourse
and one of whose wedding guests ! was
to bs. found him in his cell, in half.
dazed, bewildered state.
"Surrly," said, "you mast be able tc
account Tor your possession of the notes
found upon YOU"
'Certainly | am" he answered; 81