Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-10-21
The Somnambulist Robber.

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The mysterious populations had ex
tended over period of about fv,
months.
The bank building was a stone
structure three stories in height.
There were two entrances one in
in front, which opened into the prin
cipal business room of the bank, and
one OH the side, by means of which
admittance could be gained to the two
upper stories, which were occupied by
the banker as a dwelling.
His family was a small one, con-
sisting of his daughter Edna, beau
tiful girl of 10, middle-aged servant
woman, and a coachman and man-of.
all-work, who slept over 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,
and in every way moral and selfre-
specting, 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 discharg-
ed for his assurance.
He had no difficulty in securing an.
other position in the village as book
keeper in the largest store; one of
the 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 bust
ness, the cash and accounts of the
bank would be found correct.
In the morning sums varying from
10 to 80 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 himself.
The losses still went on, and the
money was apparently taken from the
vault between the closing and the
opening hours.
1t came to mis- 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 detective, who shad-
owed the three clerks in turn, with
out connecting them in any way with
the mysterious peculations.
Banker Burkley 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.
awaited 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
visions of masked robbers.
During all this time Edward Rad
clife worked diligently at his book
keeping, happy in the knowledge that
Edna Burkley still loved him, and
would wait patiently until such time
as he could make her home.
They had n rendezvous in dense
grove of trees on the outskirts of the
village, and met there frequently.
On one particular 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 IL.
81 had no idea it was so late p said
Edna apprchensively. Papa would
be furious if he knew / stayed out SO
late. l shall have to steal in very
quietly, for since these mysterious
robberies he has been very restless at
night, and frequently gets up and
wanders 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