Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-09-16
Blest was the fragrance that came on the
blast
THE DETECTIVE.

large and airy directors room of that
institution. He paused in his writing
for moment and touched the silver
bell at his elbow, and in a moment the
ianitor appeared at the door.
john he said, ''would you ask Mr..
Brooks to step this wayP"
Eyes, sir" said the departing janitor.
Soon after John came into the room
and said:
''Mr. Brooks is not down yet, sir"
mot down yet?" echoed the presi-
dent. "Why, that's strange. It's twenty
minutes past 10"
The president arose and passed
through to the bank.
"Mr. JONES'" he said to the bookkeep-
er, "hasn't the cashier come down yet?"
II have not seen him this morning,
sir,' said Jones.
This lateness is not customary?"
asked the president.
mo. sir; Mr.. Brooks is generally very
punctual."
HE may be i'll this morning." said
the president, "but | should have
thought he would have sent us word"
The bookkeeper made no answer. He
evidently had no particular liking for
Mr.. Brooks, the cashier.
HE lives at the Bellmere House, l
think" continued the president
"Yes. sir."
'Well, l will just step down and see
what is the trouble. AS the directors
come in kindly tell them | will be back
in few minutes, and ask them to wait
for me. want to sec them particular
ly this morning"
Mr.. Bonus, president of the Stability
Bank, walked down the street toward
the Bellmere Hotel, intending to make
some inquiries after Mr.. Brooks. He
was so absorbed in the unusual fact of
the cashiers absence during business
hours he didn't take that care which a
portly old gentleman should take in
passing along a crowded street, and the
first thing he knew he had the breath
knocked out of him by Il man with a
valise in his hand running against him.
Mr.. Bonus was rather firm on his feet,
however, and the other colliding party
was thrown backward couple of steps.
"Hulo. Bonus" cried his acquaint-
ance, you are about rs solid as your
own bank, | take il"
you are in a hurry this morning,
Saunders, " gasped Bonus, as he recov-
cred from the shock.
''Oh, not particular; just got in on
the morning train from Chicago, and
| say, Bonus, your bank must be Il solid
institution"
ut is, said Bonus, ''but why do YOU
make that remark?'
"Well, it is not every financial insti-
tuition nowadays that can afford to let
its cashier take u vacation trip to Cana
da."
ITO Canada?' yontured Mr.. Bonus
cautiously; you mean Mr.. Brooks, /
presume.
Eyes. rs got into Chicago last night
l saw Brooks buying u ticket for Detroit
for the 9 o'clock train, Michigan Cen
trail. l slapped him on the shoulder
and asked him if he was going to take
a vacation, and he said he had relatives
in Detroit told him Detroit was pref
ty near the border line for cashier,
and he laughed trine neryously it
seemed to me and said, Yes, it was. }
Then he asked me when l was going
back to Stability, and / said tomorrow
morning. So he shook hands and said
if saw any of his friends to give them
his regards. and then he took his valise
and went on the Pullman
YES" said the president, Brooks
has gone away for couple of weeks;
he has been a trifle overworked for the
past year"
II thought he looked a trife tagged
out" said the other as he went on his
way.
Mr.. Bonus walked down rs far as the
hotel but he did not 90 in. He turned
around and looked ut his watch; it was
nearly II o'clock. He knew that the
train which left Chicago at 9 o'clock
the night before was well into the inter-
ior of Canada by that time, and if
Brooks was really an absconder, he was
safe from pursuit. As Mr.. Bonus enter
ed the directors room of the bank the
directors were all seated around the
green table waiting for him. He turned
the key in the door and took his place
in the arm chair at the head of the
table.
Gentlemen" he began in husky
voice, II am afraid that shall have to
announce that Brooks, your cashier, is
at this moment in Canada"
There was silence about the board for
fully minute after this startling an
nouncement, then Mr.. Meiggs spoke
up:
How are his accounts, Mr.. BonusP"
"At the last inspection" replied that
official, "they appeared all right.
Appeared, humph," growled Mr..
Meiggs, ''you know / never liked that
fellow he was deuced sight too clever
for me. Now if he has got away with
any cash it will certainly be a consider
| able amount"
The silence that ensued seemed to
give assent to this proposition by Mr..
Meiggs
IL met Saunders on the street Just
now" said Bonus. land he saw Brooks
leaving on the o'clock train last night.
Brooks evidently gave him to under.
stand that he had gone on his vacation
l think we might have it announced
that Brooks has gone off for couple o.
weeks to visit friends in Detroit Thi:
would give us time to turn around and
| consult as to what is best to be done. '
There were several mods at this propo
sition, but Meiggs. who was the kicker
of the board, said grufiiy, Stuff. Wha
/ good would that do, the truth is bound
/ to come out the moment the reporter
get a scent of the affair. At best i
would only postpone the difficulty for 8
week or two.
II am thinking of the credit of th,
bank said Mr.. Bonus, mildly. III
You don't like my plan, Mr. Meiggs
propose something"
Yes" murmured the others, pro
pose something"
The phrase Propose something
went round the table, and each one o
the members looked anxiously at Mr.
Meiggs.
The first part of the proposition.
said Meiggs, sis to telegraph to Chicago
for an expert accountant and ask hin
to bring down as many assistants rs h
requires. so that we may speedily know
our position. Are there any objection
to that proposalP"
Mr., Meiggs glanced up and down tn
/ the table.
There were no objections.
"My next proposal is this: Telegraph t,
Chicago for one of the best detectives il
the city and place the case in his hands
A train leaves Chicago at o'clock.
is now shortly after II, If you com
mission me to write the dispatches
will guarantee TO have both on the traii
and we can meet here .t 8 10 consult
In the meantime say nothing at al
about the affair, and after consulting
with the detectiYe il Won think il hes