Wichita eagle., 1886-12-02


; that we announce il tho papers that Broo,-s
has absconded, and that an accountant is now
engaged in finding the amount of his defalca-
tioa."
II don't like to agree to that" faltered Mr..
Bonus
avery WELL said the detective, taking out
his watch, 81 havo five minutes yet before
must leave to take the Chicago train. You
have that time to mako up your mind. Tho
case must be entirely in my hands end you
must do exactly as | say or you must put the
matter in the caro- Of soIno enc else
"But there VIII be a run said Mr.. Bonus,
Hwould it not DO better to say the amount Of
the defalcation is very s.naIl:'
"No, sir" answered the detective, "wo don't
know what tho amount is II may be very
large Ny motto is to tell the truth"
The board Of directors seemed rather aston
Ished to t!linl; that such motto was part Ct a
detectives equipment, and they consulted IN
whispers together.
There viii certainly be a nm if we give it
out in that way"
you say you arc able to stand it, sug-
gested the detective, glancing down at his
watch.
Just one minute mere" said tho detective.
There uas a half minutes consultation, then
Mr. Bonus said, with sigh:
"Wo leave the case entirely in your hands.
understand that Mr. Meiggs is satisfied as to
your ability to manage it."
Perfectly" said Meisgs, speaking for the
! first time.
The sensation Of next days papers was the
Ascending Of the popular Mr. Brooks, of the
Stability bank. The ticket agent was inter-
viewed the hotel clerk was interviewed,
Saunders was interviewed, and gave a graphic
account Of his meeting with Brooks II Chico
90, and added much about his ghastly, con-
science-striclzen face which he lad not men
toned to Mr.. Bonus. Bonus was interviewed,
but said nothing; and the directors were in
torviewed, and said nothing. The detective
WAS interviewed, and was loquacious; AMI
the accountant was interviewed, but gave no
information.
Next day there was a run on the bank, but
all claims wee promptly paid and things
seemed to be going on much as usual that
before the second day it died out and tho
bank resumed its former appearance. There
was a meeting OF the directors few days
afterward. AL of the directors were present,
with Or. Bonus in the chair. Tho derecsive
was seated near win3ow. the accountant
StIGI Some balance sheets lGtsu
the lower end OF the table.
Gentlemen he said, looking At his papers,
@thcro is q deficiency Of SG5Gi0. IS
i lco,l OF horror went round tho board.
The president leaned hack in his chair With a
face as white rs ashes. 1ieigEs had u iroTa
on his brow ard druIamed on the table with
his fingers, but he resisted the temptation Of
saying, Il told you So"
The stealing" resumed the accountant,
';has been going on for some time and it has
been most ingeniously covered up The book;
apparently balance perfectly, and it wa. only |
By discovering this paper Of figures which l !
found in Books private drawer that got a |
cleyv to The iefalcations"
Il suppose, said Mr. Meiggs, chat we have |
10 further need of Mr.. Ruler; he has done the |
work in a very satisfactory manner"
So Mr. Ruler departed for Chicago and the
detective took his place at tho table
Gentlemen" be began, II propose to an
nounce in to morrow's papers that the books
have been examined by experts from Chicago
and that al is perfectly straight The theory |
that viii be given Of tho Ascending VIII be
that, through oyerwork, Mr. Brooks has be-
come deranged and think that we may wind |
up with a tribute to his honesty. You may !
have Observed that the papers say that 10 has |
not speculated and tbat be had no bad habits, |
SO We may infer that the Doodle is il the |
valise which he took away with him. If You
ever wish TO see any Of this sixty odd th0us-
nnds / hope You will express your regrets for
Mr.. Brooks. Trust that nothing serious has
happened to him"
Il thought, said tho president, that truth
was your motto
"Ah, that WIS last week Detectives mot
toes have to change sometimes"
Next day the whole town of Stability heard |
Of the arrangement Of the promising young
man Brooks, lately cashier of Inc well known
bank of that city. Tho detective he'd gone
home. The papers announced that nothing
In the extraordinary TRANSACTION reflected Oh |
the good name Of Mr.. Brooks
Meanwhile Mr.. Brooks had exhausted the |
resources Of Windsor and was looking yearn- |
ingly across TO The American shore. He !
watched with interest what the papers said Of |
his case At last, when it came out that his !
innocence had been made clear. he felt a glow |
Of triumph that his bookkeeping had stood !
the severest test that Chicago had been able |
TO apply. There was now no reason why he /
should remain IN Canada He telegraphed to I
Mr.. Bonus that for the past week he had been /
feeling very queer, and had come to himself !,
il !" indsor and would bc hack shortly. When |
II. Brooks stepped OF the ferry on the |
wharf IN Datcoit a man who had crossed with |
him put his arm through his and said
Mr. Brooks, am very glad TO see you"
""ho arc your asked tho astonished
Brooks, Il don't thiall know you
No; you don't" said the other, "but |
know you. am 4 man who hears sermons |
in running Brooks, and I may tel you that
Your race is ended Tor TIE present. You arc
just a t.rlle too smart, Mr. DrooIe l am
Detective Grabum, oc Chicago Luke
Sharp, in Detroit Free Press.
SOMETHING LIKE SOLITUDE.
The Wall CT Bridge Policeman with
Absolutely Nothing to DO.