The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-09-01

establishment was aware that something
unusual had happened Mr.. Mason wa.
closefed with his partner for few min
utes, and then hurried out of the office
returning shortly afterward with Mr. JEFF
freys, Manager of the London an Lam
cashire branch, at which the firm kept
their account
Then Mr.. .Ieffreys left, and shortly re-
turned, accompanied by one of the cash
iers. Then bell rang, and Mr.. Crump
was sent for.
With beating heart and cold sweat
on his brow, the cashier obeyed the
| summons.
Bring your check-book, Mr.. Crump.''
said the senior partner.
This was done, and tall man, whom
Mr.. Crump had not noticed up to that
time, stepped up To the table and glanc-
ed al the check book along with Mr..
Livesey
thought So exclaimed the old gem
| tleman. Here's the place from which
the check was taken; here's the counter
foil. The numbers correspond. What
made you do it, Crump? You are the
last man in the world from whom would
have expected such conduct.
Do what, SIR" family uttered Mr.
Crump.
do what ?" echoed his employer with
cont mptuous smile. Who did you
yet t1 10 this little job for YOU ~
As Lc spoke Mr. Livesey tossed a check
across the table. Crump read 4: The
London q Lancashire bank. Pay Joseph
Beekman, Esq, or order, three thousand
one hundred and seventy-two pounds
Evesey d Mason"
He looked bewildered The tall
man in the frock coat watched him mar
rowly.
Who is this Beekman ~ asked Mr..
Livesey.
i don't know, sir"
You don't know You see thai the
check has come from your book ?"
Yes, SIR
Did yon give IL to any one?'
No, sir"
Did you miss it,"
q Yes, sir, missed il yesterday and
wrote to Marshall, 10 whom | had sent
the one before that, thinking had torn
out two by mistake"
"That rather points to his innocence
whispered Livesey to the tall man at his
elbow.
alt may be only clever plant, sir re-
turned the other
You did not put. that letter among
the Others to be copied in the letter-box,"
put in Mason.
Crump hung his head.
E" Is the check he began after
pause.
"of course it is forged answered Mr..
Livesey.
And il was paid ?"
Yes; it was paid yesterday"
Crump shuddered, took a long breath.
and waited.
Now, Crump. YOU had better make a
clean breast Of it, said Lvesey, after
few moments silence Tell us who this
man Beckman is; tell US where the
money has gone--it can't be all spent
already-and ii viii be none the worse
for YOU
Crump felt a choking sensation III his
throat, but he mustered up courage
enough to say, 1 have told you already,
sir. that know nothing about it. II was
only yesterday morning that | noticed
that IA check had been taken from the
book
Why did You not mention it," said
Mason.
Il thought had torn it out myself.
along with the one that sent TO Mr.
Marshall"
But ii may have been torn out by any
one in the office during the day before -
Yes, sir" replied Crnnp. don't
see how any one could have got at the
book, for am very careful but it is pos
sible.n
"The thief has probably got profes- /
sional forger to copy the signature from
an old letter" said Mason, taking up the /
slip of paper 1t Is beautifully initiated.
/ would not have detected it myself"
at is plain that the thief must have
some one in the office, though probably I
ne had an accomplice outside" said JEFF
fries. q 4 stranger would not have known
that the firm, had so large balance at the I
moment Is there one of your fellow
clerks whom you think may have had
hand in it?v ne added 10 the cashier.
No, sir"
Is there any one who keeps loose /
company, or one who is in the habit of /
spending too much money!"
Mr.. Crump thought of Carter, and he
hesitaied for a moment
Speak sir, if you are wise said Mr.. /
Livesey, sternly.
Il have sometimes thought that Mr. /
Carter spent great deal on dress. and 80 /
ON, but not more than many younger
men," replied Crump. But as he spoke 4
he suddenly remembered Robert Csrter's I
unusually early appearance on the pre-
ce,line morning, and a suspicion arose III I
his mind Without intending it he al
lowed his thoughts 10 appear in his face,
50 that his protest. know nothing /
against Mr.. Carter had but little effect
Crump was sent back TO his desk, and I
Carter WIS sent for. He came back 10 /
the clerks room in state of great indig I
nation, having strenuouSly denied any /
knowledge whatever Of the forgery. The T
result Of consultation between the bank /
manager and the partner was that, a~
Crlmp could not account for the check, I
he had probably stolen ii and although /
there was not enough evidence TO prose
cute him, he must be discharged at once. 1
As 10 Carter. they determined 10 allow /
him to remain where he was, and keep a
close watch on his proceedings.
Poor Walter Crump went home that |
slay ike enc in a dream. He was dis /
missed as the accomplice of forger, and !
he could not say that under the circum- +
stances he had been treated unjustiy. /
The check had been intrusted to him, +
4 = III ~ ~