The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-07-04
MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.

Mr.. John Burnley, sole proprietor Of
the Barklsy Bank, was being regularly
robbed.
The mysterious peculations had ex-
tended over a period ofabout 1--WE months.
Tho bank buildingwas stone structure
three stories in height.
There were two entrances; onein front,
which opened into the principal business
room Of the bank, and one on the side,
by means Of which admiltance could be
gained to4tha two upper stories, which
were occupied by the banker as a dwell
ing,
His family was a small one, consisting
Of his daughter, Edna, a beautiful girl Of
nineteen, a midi le-aged servant woman,
and q coachman and man-of.all-work,
who slept over the stable.
Three clerks were employed in the
bank, although Jour had formerly held
positions there.
Just before the beginning Of these
mysterious robberies, Edward Radcliffe,
cashier, had bean discharged.
Although OF excellent character, care
ful in his attenti0nTto his duties, and in.
every way moral and self.respecting, Rad
cliha had rendered himself 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 another
position in the village as bookkeeper for
the largest store; ono OF the junior clerks
had been promoted to his late position,
and the affairs Of the bank moved on as
usual.
Then IL was that these mysterious rob.
berries 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 hre-proof vaultin which
the papers, money and books OF the bank
were stored at night was OF the most ap.
proved pattern.
It stood in the rear Of the main banking
room, and had two doors; both provided
with combination lecks.
Thekey to the main door had been car
RED by Young Radcliffe, and when he was
discharged il was turned over to his sue.
cessOr. The BANKER alone knew the COM
binat;ons Of the vault.
After two or three hundred dollars had
disappeared he changed the combination
of both locks; and took charge Of the main
door key himself,
The losses still went on, and the money
was apparently taken from the vault be.
tween the closing and opening hours.
ItCome to acknowledge that his daugh-
ter and young Radcliffe were meeting
clandestineIy, and IN his first anger he
Twas willing 10 believe that the latter was
the rohber, although it was virtually i'm.
possible for any one to gain admission to
1.-The vault after It was locked for the night.
He employed a detective, who Swallowed
tho three cl0rks in turn, without connect
Ing them in any way with the mysterious
peculAtions.
Banker Burnley could gain admittance
Ito his private Office from his apartments
over the bank without entering the main
door, and 30 worried was he over hismys.
teri0us losses that on several occasions he
arose in the night, and, stealing Eoftly
down stairs, waited in the darkness in the
thope OF catching the thieL
As the mystery deepened, he grew care
worn, haggard and pale, and his dreams
were filed with haunting visions Of
masked robbers.
During all this time Edward Radcliffe
worked diligently at his bookkeeping, hap
Ipy in the knowledge that Edna Burnley
Estill loved bin, and would wait patiently
until such time as he could make her 0
home.
They had 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 strolliag about the
grove and talking as lovers will, turned
their steps homeward.
As they neared the bank building the
town clock chimed twelve.
II had no idea it was 80 late" said
Edna, apprehensively. "Papa would be
furious If he knew I stayed out so late. 1
shall have to steal in very quietly, for
since these mysterious robberies he has
been very restless ut 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 surrounded the
bank, and softly unlatching It, Radcliffe
led heway to the side door.
As he paused fora minute on tho step
to bid the beautiful girl "Good-nightn q
light suddenly flashed through the win
dow Ofthe bankers private Office over
looking the garden, and! they saw OUT
lined against the curtain the form OF a
man.
"Hal" cried RadcliEe;t IN a startled
whisper. "What does that mean-a man
in your fathers private Officer
TT isa robberW gasped Edna, cling
ing TO his arm and beginning to tremble.
"Open the door, whispered Radcliffe,
and I'll capture the yillain
mo, mop persisted Edna. The rob-
Der is evidently q desperate villain, and
he may be armed"
"Nonsensel retorted Radcliffe, opens
ing the door. III 1 capture him, it will
place your father under obligations to me,
and he may consent to our marriage
The door which opened out OF the little
entry into the private Office WINS ajar, and
InushfnR It open, Radcliffe peered Ia.
/ at the same instant o bright light was
flashed ia his eyes and he started back,
ltor confronting him was Banker Bnrkley
himself, tlntching in one hand roll Of
MOTIFS and in tho other . dark lantern.
The two men stood staring at each other
for several seconds and neither spoke.
Finally the banker turned sharply, aud
walking 10 an old-Ashioned hops-hatr-
covered lounge which stood against the
wall at one end Of tho room, drew back
1.-The heavy cushion aud placed the roll Of
notes carefully In the cavity. Then re-
lpIacing the cushion, he pushed back the
slide 81 bis lantern and started toward the
door, on the thfeahold Of which stood
Radcliffe, with Edna peering over his
shonIder.
The whole proceeding had been 50