Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-11-29

at seeing the mole on the ear thai
had so tenaciously haunted my
memory ever since my job at the
brokers'. 1t flashed upou me in &
lmoment. The mans height, figure
hair, all tallied-he was the brokers'
lclerk!
A brief glance as the lid flew oper
I|showed me that the chest contained
IIseveral packages of bank bills and
iImany rolls of coin-probably gold
However, my survey was short, foi
the clerk said:
But come, get the boy out of the
way. He's wisely given us no trouble
aud, | guess, can do us no harm; SC
let him go. Here, young fellow, take
something'for yonr trouble, and il
you say nothing about the matter
outside it'll be all the better for
you" and he handed me u $40 note
which he took from the box.
unhesitatingly took the money
for by this time, finding that they
evidently had no intention of harm.
ling me. | had resolved that, know
ing so much already. / would acqui-
esce in everything that would not
implicate me as participant, in or
der to learn more, with view to aid
in bringing them to Justice.
"And now, Jockey" said the one
VITA the knife, 'ye'll have to have
yer sliI.kers devised agin."
l submitted while he again put the
cloth about my eyes. when Twas con-
Quoted out as | came, but by this
time l was calmer and paid more at
tentlon to my course. | counted
my PAGES to the stairway from the
room. noted every turn in descending
and when we emerged from the outer
door | noted that the steps to the
ground were three, and that the mid
die one appeared to be split length
wise, as my heel sank as l stepped
upon it, and at the bottom on
the ground lay piece of loose board.
AS we passed out of the alley no.
ticed that we turned to the right, so
that l knew | was not being led back
as | came, and we afterwards made
several turns which confused me, but
at last my conductor-for l was
aware that only one had latterly ac-
companied me-halted, saying as he
let me 90:
"Wait a bit, till l see if we are
watched" and apparently moving
off.
After few minutes felt convinced
that | was alone, and slipping the
bandage from my eyes l found my
self standing in an old carriage shed
looking on the water front. Starting
out | discovered that | was on Com
mercial street and not far from Han
over.
My resolution was instantly taken.
| proceeded straight to my employ
er's house, and after had rung sew
eral times Mr.. Searle himself came to
the door. In as few words as posi-
bic | told him my adventure.
Mr. Searle dressed as speedily as
possible and together we proceeded
to the nearest police station, where
l rehearsed my story to the officer in
charge. He asked us if we were will
ing to follow up the matter at once,
oublllS W MI. DtdTlS.
81 think, since your young man
has done so well, that the thieves are
already half taken, and can be en-
uirely SO. believe l know who at
lest one OF his captors is"
We at once expressed our willing
ness, and the captain, calling SER
geant, gave him some instructions
and then requested us to accompany
the officer to the residence of Mr..
Gould, the broker, whose safe | had op-
Grated. Arrived there we learned that
Mr.. Gould hadgone to Portland the
day previous and would be away a
week or more. His son, who was also his
business associate, was at home, how
ever, and on his hearing, with much
surprise, my story, said:
Gentlemen, the box was my ia
theirs private affair and he always
kept the keys with him. He often
had large amount of money in it
and | think there was considerable
when he went away. have the du-
plicate key of the safe and locked it
myself last evening. The chest was
then in it and we can go to the office
and learn, at least, if it has been TAX
en- out"
This we decided to do. and started
thither, and on the way The young
broker gave some further informa-
ton.
"Mr. Allen, the clerk, was to go to
New York lastevening on the clock
train to be married in few days, we
understood, and take a wedding trip.
He has been with us six months, and
he has never had charge of
the safe nor the handling of funds, it
was not because we distrusted him,
for he always seemed faithful and
efficient, and we were perfectly salts
fed with him."
On our reaching the office, which
was on the ground floor and opened
on to the street, Mr.. Gould at once
the safe, and as the door
was pulled open we all eagerly looked
in, and there, sure enough; was the
boxl | was at first stupetied.
1.-THE boy was mistaken, it seems"
said the broker
"No, Twas not" persisted. "That
is the same box, Iknow, that opened
tonight. See if the money is there"
Unfortunately" he said, my
father has taken the keys with him.
But if this box was really taken
away, why is it here now?"