The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-12-04

row ; for Moreton is place, big as it is,
where everybody knows everybody else.
The two pored over this paper as if
they had something "blg" on the next
big race, and l began to think l could
guess where the notes went. Not that
| endorse the humbug talked about bet
ting whenever young fellow comes to
grief. There are many things quite as
likely to be the causes of it but in this
particular instance 1 thought 1t more
than probable had got something like
clue to the puzzle.
After time the young men retired
having had long and subdued CONVEX
sation, and l was left to digest what l
had heard-not much, certainly, but
something.
l said nothing to Mr.. Dale, stayed
on in my capacity of investor who
couldn't find any investments to suit
him, and kept my eyes open. Sew
eral days passed, and no more notes
were missed. DR.. Dale got rather more
tranquillized, and Mrs. Dale ventured
to play her piano to HIM in the evening
which for some time he had been too
irritable to listen to, much to her sur
prise, as neither she nor anyone else
had been told Of the missing notes, and
he was generally very good-tempered
with her, though short-tempered with
most people.
But one day discovery was made,
not through me, though for my credits
sake l had spoken my suspicious of the
party concerned to Mr.. Dale-namely,
young Mason. l told him fancied he
was in some way connected with sport
ing matters, and got for my pains an
incredulous laugh, and hasty remark
about detectives acuteness. This net
tied me, SO just told him about the
scene in the Blue Lion.
He was enraged then, l could see,
both with me and the two young fel-
lows but just as he was going to say
something about it in came old Mitley,
as usual, with bundle of notes that
day cashed or paid in. MIR. Dale ran
his eyes carelessly over them-paused-
stared-consulted his pocket-book, and
then said, with an affection of indiffer.
ence:
"Where cid this fve-pound note
come from Mitley? 1t very greasy
"Mr. Mason asked me to change it,
sir"
Mr.. Mason! Very good you can
CO."
The door closed, and the manager
turned to me, his face mixture of re-
gret and anger. II owe an apology,
Staining, for laughter at you about
Mason. l am most grieved, but this is
one of the stolen notes. Still, that
doesn't prove his guilt, and his chang
ing it here looks like innocence"
"Or like cleverness, sir, in playing a
bold game to disarm suspicion"
"Well, I'll call him in. Step into
that cupboard you can see and hear
without his knowing it."
In came MIR. Mason, quiet as ever.
He stood waiting for Mr.. Dale to speak
with an unruffled air of indifference.
He 7oaS a cool hand.
The manager came to the point at
once. GLOW did this note come into
your possessi IN, Mr.. Mason7" he said
showing it. al have particular rea-
son for asking"
The young chap flushed crimson,
and Mr.. Dale looked sternly at him. l
in the cupboard thought, "Another
point to you, Jim Staining
at is matter of my own, sir-a
private matchmaking to do with the
bank" he said, after pause.
at has everything to do with the
bank, Mr.. Mason. This note is stolen
one"
Young Mason started as if shot, then
looked at the manager with the finest
imitation of injured innocence l ever
saw.
81 know nothing of that sir. But l
would rather not explain how got it. "
"Perhaps not. But you had better,
and when my nephew returns" Che was
out driving Mrs. Dale in her pony car
rlage) 81 shall ask him for an explana-
ton of how he and you, my clerks,
come to be at a pot-house studying a
sporting paper' (Here the young chap
looked-if you will excuse my little
joke-quite chap-fallen, as I've heard
Hamlet say "However, I've known
you and your parents so long," the
manager went on in a kinder tone
"that if you'll only admit you've been
betting like a couple of young fools,
will see what can be done, though
am very wrong in doing so, to hush the
thing up"
The young man thereupon vowed
and protested that he and Mr.. Lenton
never betted, and that as for the note
he had it paid him by Mr.. Phillips, the
grocer.
"Then he must know something
about it. And why was it paid you?''
said Mr.. Dale.
Here Mason looked very red again,
and stammered out that it was for a
prize bull terrier pup. Being urged by
Mr.. Dale to explain further, he con-
fessed that he had young Lenton had a
Joint stock Of bull-terriers, which they
| bred and showed Hence their Studv