The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-08-30
Fawkes, who, however, was conspicuous

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the drawer, which had already been
tempered with, as | knew it contained,
besides stamps, large sum in gold and
notes. Not seemed firm and safe, and
would take ga deal O. work." as Bennett
remarked, holding his taper close to the
lock. Lance, too, had good look at
it, and expressed the same sagacious
opinion rs his colleague.
Our first visit ended-and | was ex-
pected to patrol at least three times in
the day-the two porters went down to
breakfast and | adjourned to the man
ayers room, leaving the door partly
open, so as to be able to see all round the
bank. l lit cigar, and ensconcing N.Y.
self comfortably in the managerial arm
chair, prepared to stay the two hours
which interviewed between the cessation
of the church bells and luncheon time.
Suddenly old Lance appeared again at
the half opened door and spoke in this
wise:
"Scuse me, sir, but Pve been pleace-
man, and don't think that locks all
right"
"What lock, Lancet" said 1.
"That there drawer with the stamps,
sir"
Well, let us look again"
30 saying, we both went to the counter
which contained the drawer and Lance
pointed out some small scratches on the
lock, and a slight indentation in the
woodwork surrounding it.
" That's a chisel, if | die for It'll" said
the ex-policeman.
"By Jove! You don't mean it?"
"Sure of it, sir"
"Well, let's have Bennett up stairs,
and hear what he thinks of it."
Angry at being disturbed at his break
fast, the head porter came grumbling to
the place where [ stood, and, bending
down to the lock, impatiently inquired
if it was not deal more likely the cashier
had scratched it in the course of bust
ness. After few minutes further in
spection he looked up with a knowing
smile. 1856
a believe Lance is right now; it
looks 50 fresh. | shouldn't wonder if
the Waterman knew something about
this"
Perhaps so" said I; "what do you
think, Lancer"
"Well, he looks honest enoush-but
looks amt always a guide" said the man
quietly.
"Then I'll stop in the bank tonight,
and see if | can trap my gentleman"
exclaimed Bennett, "if you will leave
me the key"
81 can't do that" I replied, "but ]
shall report the fact to the manager the
first thing in the morning"
AS you like, sir" he assented reluct.
antly, and they both returned to their
long neglected meal.
Again | returned to my den, this time
with the proud consciousness of having
something important to relate when
Monday morning should see the stream
OF busy workers once more settling with
books and papers and filthy lucre gener-
ally. Ope-nay, two cigars did | con.
sumo down to the last half inch, read
"Byles on Bills" nearly through, in
default of more cheerful literature, and
L am afraid a tiny doZe must have en-
sued, as | was awakened by Benefits
voice close to me, asking what | would
take for luncheon. Mechanically fixed
upon the hackneyed cnop, and with it 8
pint of stout, to be fetched from the
only eating house that deigned to open
for q couple of hours on Sunday. While
he was gone | took the opportunity OF
making my second round, and found
nothing but peace everywhere, with the
slight exception of being startled by the
sudden appearance of the bank cat from
| the cavernOus depth of the enormous
coal cellar. Eventually | returned 70
my room and found a succulent chop
smoking upon the table, fanked by 8
pewter pot of foaming stout, which, on
tasting, | found unusually soft and
creamy-indeed, fancied could detect
a peculiar aroma in thy grateful beyer.
age, which seemed to make it more than
ordinarily palatable; anyhow, l thor
oughly enjoyed the repast, and when an
intensely slumberous sensation crept
through all my veins, my strongest effort
of will was insufficient to keep me awake.
While was still struggling against the
impulse, Lance came to inform me that
he was going out to dine at his home
close by, while Bennett was left on
guard below. As he closed the door be-
hind him my eyes shut and | fell asleep,
but only to be reawakened by his voice
again addressing me:
81 don't think FL go out to dinner,
sir, " said he, gazing at me with strange
expression.
"Why not?" quoth /, drowsily.
"Well, sir, l don't feel very bright to-
day, and I'd rather stop indoors; and if
you'd be so kind as not to mention to
Bennett as Pve come back. But you
don't look very well yourself, sir, just
now?"
Glance, that stout has made me most
confoundedly sleepy"
"Well, have bit of nap, sir. Pll
see that the place is all right-only /
don't want Bennett to know Pm here"
All right, all right" replied, rather
shortly, for | wanted to be left to myself
yet | was somewhat surprised at his wish
for concealment in so trivial a matter.
Again | saw the man pass out and
partly close the door, and once more !
drifted into heavy but pleasant slum-
Der. Soon | was denizen of dreamland
and sharer in its grotesque and fantas-
tic imaginings. l thought / was cling
ing to the telegraph wires that stretch
like webs over London, and performing
thereon athletic feats in impossible posi-
tions; then few through the air to-
ward my home at Wood Green, spinning
as I went thread of wire by which to
return-a useless precaution, as | was at
once transported to the desert of Sahara,
where [ found myself on a cancels back
careering across the burning plain. But
in my dreams the face of the camel was
the face of the ex-policeman Lance, and
ever and anon strange grating noises
seemed to be borne past us on the wind
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