The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-09-17

direst need. The people cannot
know my motive in having it appear
upon my person, and will probably
misapprehend it. l would ask, i
you are willing, to give it a place ii
your safe at the bank"
"Most assuredly. Garry it there
in the morning, and | will deposit
it where it will be secure"
"Thank you. My mind is reliev-
ed of a great responsibility"
The next morning he went to the
bank and saw his ring placed where
Mr.. Campbell convinced him il
would lie secure.
After an absence of five weeks,
Mr.. Pennell returned to his charge
and Mr.. Smith went from Brook
Vile to small village in Maine,
where he had engaged to preach for
a short time, he said.
There was a wide and deep regret
at his departure, and now a few OF
the church members-especially
those who had joined under his ad.
ministration-freely expressed their
wish that the ''lay preacher" might
continue to substitute for the regu-
lar preacher, whom, such remarks
reaching, deeply grieved.
Finally matters settled into their
former channel and moved on peace
fully for the greater part, though not
without an occasional disturbance
such as the parish had not known
prior to the advent of Mr.. Smith.
Towards the close of September a
panic was created in the place by
the rumor that the bank had been
burglarized to the amount of nearly
sixty thousand dollars-a rumol
that proved true.
The day that this announcement
was made Mr.. Smith again came to
Brookville to obtain the ring, which
he had thought it best should re-
main in the safe while he was alb.
sent.
Despite the gloom of those who
had suffered by the burglary, they
were glad to see him, and learning
his loss, were so sorry as to almost
forget their own.
Though the intrinsic value of the
ring was considerable, valued il
chiefly because it had been in our
family so many years-handed
down from one to another genera
tion," he said "but my loss does
not deserve mention with that which
some of you have experienced. 1t
does make me feel personal inter
est in the affair"--this to the direct
ors and depositors-"and | would
suggest that you at once telegraph to
New York for Mr.. -, one of the
most expert detectives in America.
| regret my inability to remain and
learn the result of your investiga-
ton If you succeed in recovering
the stolen property, | shall appreci-
ate yonr kindness if you will express
the ring at once to me at Rochester,
N. w
Mr. Campbell promised to do so.
Mr.. Smith thanked him and was
gone
The detective named was sum-
moned by telegraph, and within Il
hours arrived in Brookville. To him
the president stated all the facts in
the case, of which the officer made q
memorandum. Then, as in verif
cation of these statements:
"The door of the bank was locked
when you reached it ?" he said, in
terrogatively.
at was" returned Mr.. Campbell.
'The safe was also locked?"
Yes"
'The windows were fastened as
usual ?"
They were."
. "Who knows the combination
that you use on your lock to the
safe?n
''No one but myself"
Have you ever committed it to
paper ?"
Il have, and the paper is now in
a sealed package, holden by my at
torney, and to be opened only in
the case of illness that renders me
unconscious, or my DEATH"
do you know that the package
has not been tampered with ?"
Il suppose thatit has not Will
learn shortly !" and he wrote note
which he sent to his attorney.
"No suspicious person has been
seen in the village lately ?"
"Not that l am aware Of"
The officer began his examina-
ton of the premises, frequently re-
ferring to his memoranda. Mean
while sealed package was handed
to Mr.. Campbell, who, opening it,
said:
"The paper is here, unmolested." /"
Are you sure that you never dig
closed the combination to any one
that no one has been near you
when you opened the safe 2"