Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-07-15
THE SOMNAMBULlSTIC ROBBER.
BY GEORGE w. SYMONDS.

Mr.. John Burnley, sole proprietor
OF the Burnley Bank, was being regu-
larry robbed.
The mysterious populations had ex-
tended over period of about five
months.
The bank building was a stone
structure three stories in height.
There were two entrances; one in
front, which opened into the principal
business room of the bank, and one
on the side, by means of which admit
tance could be gained to the two up
per stories, which were occupied by
the banker as a dwelling.
His family was a small one, consist
ing of his daughter, Edna, a. beautiful
girl OF 10, a middle-aged servant wom-
an, and coachman and man-of-all-
work, who slept in the stable.
Three clerks were employed in the
bank, although four had formerly
held positions there.
just before the beginning of these
mysterious robberies, Edward Rad
cliffe, cashier, had been discharged.
Although of excellent character,
careful in his attention to his duties,
aud IN every way moral and self-re-
speeding, Radcliffe had rendered him
self Objectionable to the banker.
He had dared to love the latter's
daughter, and upon asking for her
hand IN marriage, had been discharged
for his assurance.
He had no difficulty in securing an
other position in the village as book
fc,. y In, 81 &c
junior clerks had been promoted to his
late position, and the affairs of the
bank moved on as usual.
Then it was that these mysterious
robberies began.
Every night at the close Of business,
the cash and accounts of the bank
would be found correct.
In the morning sums varying from
ten to fifty dollars would be missing.
The burglar and fre-proof vault in
which the papers, money and books
OF the bank were stored at night was
Of the most approved pattern.
1t stood in the rear of the main
banking room, and had two doors,
both provided with combination
locks
The key to the main door had been
carried by young Radcliffe, and when
he was discharged it was turned over
to his successor. The banker alone
knew the combinations of the vault.
After two or three hundred dollars
had disappeared he changed the com
bination of both locks, and took
charge Of the main door key himself.
The losses still went on, and the
r1onnnu oY1noror41v, 10 fuovo,
the vault between the closing and
opening hours.
1t came to his knowledge that his
daughter and young Radcliffe were
meeting clandestinely, and in his first
anger he was willing to believe that the
latter was the robber, although it was
virtually impossible for anyone to
gain admission to the vault after it
was locked for the night.
He employed a detective, who shad-
owed the three clerks in turn, without
connecting them in any way with the
mysterious populations.
Banker Burnley could gain admit
tance to his private Office from his
apartments over the bank without en-
tering the main door, and so worried
was he over his mysterious losses
that on several occasions he arose in
the night, and, stealing softly down
stairs, waited in the darkness in the
hope of catching the thief.
As the mystery deepened, he grew
careworn, haggard and pale, and his
dreams were filled with haunting Wis
cions OF masked robbers.
During all this time Edward Rad
cliffe worked diligently at his book
keeping, happy in the knowledge that
Edna Burnley still loved him, and
would wait patiently until such time
as he could make her q home.
They had a rendezvous in a dense
grove OF trees on the outskirts of the
village, and met there frequently.
On one particularly dark night they
met as usual and, after strolling
about the grove and talking as lovers
will, turned their steps homeward.
AS they neared the bank building
the town clock chimed twelve.
81 had no idea it was SO latep' said
Edna, apprehensively. "Papa would
be furious if he knew | stayed out so
late. | shall have to steal In very
quietly, for since these mysterious
robberies he has been very restless at
night, and frequently gets up and wan
ders about the house"
By this time they had reached the
gate by which admittance could be
gained to the little garden which sur.
rounded the bank, and softly unlatch.
ing it, Radcliffe led the way to the side
door.