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

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 a system of personal supervision
and control on his part in the Moreton
branch that by a little extra work, ap-
pearing nothing unusual, he 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 bis two
nephews and five other clerks, and an
old head cashier, Mr.. NIitley. His
nephews were cousins, sons of his
brother and sister respectively, named
Adolphus Dale and Hugh Lenton. The
clerks were all respectable and quiet,
specially one Mason, who was consider
ed most excellent young man.
Immediately resolved in my own
mind to keep special eye on this
young man, in consequence of his adj
mirable reputation. As for the notes.
they were taken one at a time, and
never larger one than twenty-five
pound one-mostly smaller ones.
| listened to all Mr.. Dale's state
ments and theories, not that had much
faith in either, but sometimes one may
pick up a grain of sense from amateurs
besides, as they pay the piper, they
may, to certain extent, be allowed to
think they call the tune. But when he'd
done talking, felt this was a very diff
cult business. However, he made me
stay at his house, always as the gentle
man wanting some houses; and | slept
like top till reused by instinct by
somebody creeping past my door. Out
| crept too, and there was Mr.. Dale
(about I A. NJ in blanket, fancying
he heard a noise down stairs. Down
we went, but found nothing. OF course
not.
Now look here, sir" l whispered,
eff Pm to manage this, let me do it,
but please don't put your oar i'm
81 can't Sleep" he said 81 get up
at ell hours, and then in the morning
hours I'm in SO heavy sleep that Pm
always Late
| went back to bed somewhat dis
gusted, tor it vas sharp October
night, and | was tired out with my long
journey. But his words put an idea
into my head, and l remembered some
thing l once read about. However, for
the present | will put this aside.
The next day he took me after break
fast into the glass paneled room where
he sat, and through little peep hole l
scraped in the ground glass l recon-
noitered the bank staff There they
were, all scratching away with indus
trious pens, and shoveling out money
to the customers, of whom, being mar
ket day, there were many.
Now | don't know why, but l didn't
seem inclined to notice any one in par
ticular but Mr.. Lenton (Mr. Dale's sis
ter's SOM and Mr.. Mason, the clerk
who bore so admirable a character.
They sat side by side in the bank and
were evidently on very friendly terms.
Lenton was handsome young fel-
low, with what you call a "dashin g"
look about him the clerk was just the
contrary, being very quiet and demure
"a thoughtful young chap, too thought
full, | fancied, if he had only :he ordi-
nary bank business on his mind.
As | sat looking out, the old cashier,
Mr.. Mitley, came in looking perplexed.
Seeing me he hesitated. Mr.. Dale told
him | was a friend, and he might speak
before me.
"Well, SIR" said the old man, hand
ing the manager a sheet of paper,
"thiS note account IS wrong. There is
a twenty-fve-pound note less thar
there out to be-
"Nonsense," said Mr.. Dale peremp-
torily then noticing the hurt look of
the old cashier, he said carelessly, 81
beg your pardon, Mitley; SO there is.
Ga l remember l paid one away on
my private account. Debit my account
with it."
The old man withdrew, satisfied.
Then Mr.. Dale, with an angry look,
turned to me.
"Another one missing since yester-
day, Staining, even since you've been
here. They were all right, as Mitley
says, last night
l said nothing, but thought much !;
but l wasn't going to commit myself.
When the bank closed (by the way,
beside Mr.. and Mrs. Dale, their three
female servants. boot boy, and the
two nephews were the persons who
slept in the house, while the keys we're
in Mr.. Dale's room, though that didn't
prove much for sometimes notes went"
in the daytime) l took stroll, osten-
sibly to look at houses FOR sale really to
follow Messrs Lenton and Mason, who
went off for d walk together. | followed
them along a dreary country road, with
about the worst tlints that ever cut their
London boots, till they came some two
or three miles out of the town to pub
house, the Blue Lion. 1t was an ordi-
nary place enough, and the landlord a
stupid sort of fellow, bat he had some
good beer, which is favorite "vanity"
of mine. SO l lit my brier-root, drank