San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-07-12


substitute for the regular pastor, whom such
remarks reached and deeply grieved
Finally matters settled into their fomer
channel, and moved on peacefully for the
greater part, though not without an coca,
sional disturbance. such az the parish had
not known prior to the advent of Mr.. Smith.
Toward the close of September panic
was created In the place by the rumor that
the bank had been burglarized to the amount
of nearly $50, 000-a rumor that proved true.
The day that this announcement was made
MIR. Smith again came to Brookville to OBJ
tain the ring, which he had thought best
should remain in the safe while he was
away.
Despite tie gloom ef those who bad SUI
fered by the burglary, they were glad to see
him, ano, learning his loss, were so sorry as
almost to forget their own.
Though the intrinsic value Of the ring
was considerable, valued it chiefly because
it had been In our family 50 many years
handed down from one to another genera
tion," he said, "but my loss does not deserve
mention with that which some Of you have
experienced 1t does make me feel a per-
sonal interest in the affair"-this to the direc-
tori and depositors-"and would suggest
tudt you az ouCe VclcSTdpu W NC" xOih, LUZ
Mr.. -, one of the most expert detectives
in America regret my inability to remain
and learn the result Of your investigation.
If you succeed in recovering the stolen prop
erty, shall appreciate your kindness If you
express the ring at once to me at Rochester,
N Y"
Mr.. Campbell promised to do so. Mr..
Smith thanked him and was gone
H.
telegraph, and within twelve hours arrived
in Brookville. To him the president stated
all the facts in the case, of which the officer
Of these statements:
"The door of the bank was locked wher
you reached itT' he said, interrogatively.
at was" returned Mr.. Campbell
".The safe was also lockedF'
aYes."
1.-THE windows were fastened same as
usualF
They were.n
"Who knows the combination that you use
on your safer
No one but myself"
Have you ever committed 1t to paperf
II have. And that paper is now in sealed
package, holden by my attorney, and to be
opened only in case of illness that renders me
unconscious, or my death"
do you know that the package has never
been tempered within
IL suppose that it has not Will learn
shortly" And he wrote note which he sent
to his attorney.
mo suspicious person has been In the vii
lage recentlyF'
"Not that am aware Of"
The officer began his examination Of the
premises, frequently referring to his memo
randa Meanwhile sealed package was hand
ed to Mr.. Campbell, who. opening it, said:
"The paper is unmolested."
Are you sure you have never accidentally
disclosed the combination to any one-that
nc one has ever been near you when you have
opened the safer
1.-THE only person who has ever been near
me when have opened the safe, with the
exception of the officials, is the gentleman
who substituted for our pastor this summer"
And how did he happen to be near you
tbeng"
He came to leave a valuable ring for safe
keeping"
"You opened the safe In his presence, and
he unsuccessfully tried to open it after your
"Yes," in establishment
Describe his personal appearance" Mr..
Campbell did SO.
THAT Is all for the present." remarked the
officer
Four days elapsed, during which the detec
tive seemed to give the case no consideration,
devoting his time with this, that and the
other one, on any subject except the burglary.
Then he went to Mr.. Campbell
Your description" he said, "of the gen.
tleman who substituted for your pastor this
summer tailed so nicely with burglar who
has operated in the west, that at once made
up nay mind that the two were Identical"
MIR. Campbell gave a start.
Leaving you, called upon Mr.. Pennell
and learned the name Of the clergyman by
whose recommendation Mr. Smith came here
To this minister Immediately wrote. The
reply is"-reading a letter:
C@,N.Y.. Oct. q IS
DEAR SGR-In answer to yours just at hand
would say: know no one by the name Of Thomas
Smith; never had a student; never wrote to
Brother PennelL The evening before left home,
last July, young man, In all respects like the
one you describe, called on me and asked me in.
Vulnerable questions concerning Brother Penren
so many and so strange that I wondered al
them intended to write Brother P. about this
man, but neglected IL so long that deemed It
best not to write at all Wish now that I had as
it would have prevented the imposition which has
been praeticed upon an esteemed co-worker and
his people. Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM BLAKE
Mr.. Campbell was too much astonished to
speak
Probably this man Smith-or whatever
his name may be-learning that your bank
did an immense business, resolved to bur
glarize it long ago." continued the officer.