News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-11-04
A DETECTIVES STORY.

The Morton bank was Joint stock af
fair in the north, with several branches.
Each branch was under a. separate mana
gel. with high pay, good social position
and liberty to do very much as he liked,
Tor the central board of directors had
great confidence in their men, and every
thing worked very smoothly and success
fully. All the managers were men who
had been from boys in the banks EN-
ploy and were very we'll paid and thought
much of by the surrounding gentry.
Wei, business was slack, and I was
sitting in my little office one October day
when my head (and onlv) clerk showed
In visitor. This was Mr.. Sherris, a So
hcltor good standing in the city, much
IN favor with commercial men. / had
had two or three things before from him.
He was a man of few words, and lik cd
men of the same sort.
Staining" said he, ''there's a thing
In your line one of my country clients
has consulted me about. You, | know,
can keep your tongue between your teeth
or you'd never have had anything from
ne. Well keep it closer than ever, for
no one knows about this affa but nv
client, you, me and-the thief. The
MOreton bank is being robbed. How.
nobody knows. That's for you to find
out. Here's your note of introduction to
Nj. Da e, the manager Go as soon as
you can, Do credit to my introduction.
Good morning"
Well, Twas rather glad of the Job, so
by o'clock that evening | was in the
town of Moreton, big but dull place,
though should say there, S good deal
of cash and property about.
| saw Mr.. Dale as soon as I could.
He was keen sort of man, with bright
eyes, quick voice and iron-grav nous
tache and beard; over So Wife pretty
and very nice-mannered; no children.
They made me welcome, asked me to
take refreshments, and so on. MIR. Dale
had evidently, like a sensible man, told
no one of my errand, for, on reading the
note from MIR. SEerris, merely said:
$50 you want TO be recommended
some good house property, Mr.. Staining
for investments"
said yes, of course. He was wise
man. Even your wife will talk to her
maid, and in our line perfect secrecy as
to what our business is is the first thing
to be got, if we mean to make hit.
Well, by and by Mrs. Dale wished us
goodnight. She was, as I say. very
pretty woman, younger than her hus-
band by fifteen years, I should think,
and they seemed very fond of each other
but she wasn't, should imagine. trust
ed by HIM with many weighty matters,
being rather childish. Yet he wanted
some one to help him, as | saw when the
door closei behind Ler, and he turned
to me with his face full of worry and
perplexlty
Briefly sketched, this was what he
told me- Robberies of bank notea had
occurred for some time. None could be
traced. Every care had been taken, ev-
cry precautiOn adhered to. He himself
counted and locked up all his cash.
Yet, and at different hours, the notes,
with irregular intervals between, disap-
peared. He had, being well-to-do, re-
placed them for his monthly statements
TO the directors, and, being proud man
and most sensitive to the slightest breath
furnishing his or the banks credit. he
had not mentioned to any one-not even
wife, nephews or head cashier-these
robberies, There was such system of
personal supervision and control on his |
part in the MOretOn branch that by al
little extra work, appearing nothing un-
usual, be was able to keep these facts |
from the knowledge of any one In the |
bank except the thief or thieves
As for the staff, there were his two |
nephews and five other clerks, and an
old head cashier, Mr. Mitley. His neph- |
ews were cousins, sons of his brother and !
and sister respectively, named Adolphus
Dale and Hugh LentOn The clerks |
were all respectable and quiet, especially |
one Mason, who was considered a most |
excellent young man
Immediately resolved IN my mind to |
keep a special eye on this young man in |
consequence OF his admirable reputation
As for the notes, they were taken one at
a time, andnever q larger one than e25 |
one-mostly smaller ones.
listened to all Mr.. Dale's statements |
and theories; not that l had much faith |
in either, but sometimes one may pick |
up grain of sense from amateurs-be-
sides, as they pay the piper, they may,
to a certain extent, be allowed to think
they call the tune. But when he'd done
talking felt this was a very difficult |
business. However, he made me stay at |
his house, always as the gentlemansswant-
ing some houses; and | slept like a top |
till reused by instinct by somebody |
creeping past my door. Out crept too,
and there was Mr.. Dale, about 4 AMI |
in a blanket, fancying he heard a noise
downstairs. Down we went, but found |
nothing. OF course not.
''Now look here, sir" I whispered, !
elf I'm to manage this, let me do it, but
please don't put yo oar in.
Il can't Sleep" he said. "I get up at
all hours; and then in the morning hours
! IN in so heavy sleep that I'm always
late y
went back to bed somewhat disgust
ca, for it was sharp October night,
and was tired out with my long jour
ney But his words put an idea into nv
mead, and | remembered something |
once read about. However, for the pres
ent | will put this aside
The next davhe took me after break
fast into the glass panelIed room where
he sat, and through a little peep hole 1
scraped In the ground glass 1 reconnoit-
eTed the bank staff There the, were,
all scratching away with industrious
pens, and shoyelling out money to the