Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-22

own pockets. ana TOOK possession of the
notes. Then he locked up the cash-box
again, restored 1t to the safe. locked
that, and sat down at Bartley's table.
He ran over the notes with feverish fin
gers, and then took the precaution to
examine Bartley's day-book. His eau
ton was rewarded-he found that the
notes Bolton had brought in were num-
| 6ered. He instantly made two parcels
-clapped the unnumbered notes into
his pocket. The numbered ones he took
in his hand into the lobby, and inserted
! the numbered notes into young Cliff
lords coat, and the false keys into his
/ bag.
He then started for the detective.
But 1t was bitter cold, and he returned
to the lobby for his own overcoat. AS
he opened the lobby door the Swing-door
| moved, or he thought so; he darfed to
1t and opened 1t, but saw nobody. Hope
having whipped behind the open door
of a little room. Monckton then put on
his overcOat. and Went for the detective.
He met Clifford at the door. and wore
an lnSolent grin of defiance. for which.
| If they had not passed each other rapid
ly, he would very likely have been
knocked down. AS it was. Walter Cliff
ford entered the Office flushed with
wrath, and eager to leave behind him
the notifications and humiliations he
had endured.
He went to his own little desk and
tore up Lucy Miller's letters, and his
heart turned toward home. He went
into the lobby, and, feeling hot, which
was no wonder, bundled his office over
coat and his brush and comb into his
bag. He returned to the Office for his
penknife, and was going out all in a
hurry, when Mr.. BARLEY met him.
ri 4l,n,, ,+n Il
"a word with you sir"
Certainly, SIR" said the young man
stif1y.
Mr.. BARLEY sat down at his table and
fixed his eyes upon heyoung man with
avery peculiar look.
You seem in a very great hurry to
CO."
"Well, am."
you have not even demanded your
salary up to date"
Excuse the oversight; I was not
made for business, you know"
There is something more to settle
besides your salary"
premium for good conduct?"
NO, sir. Mr.. Bolton, you will find
this no testing matter. There are de-
falcations in the accounts, sir"
The youngman turned serious at once.
Il am sorry to hear that, sir" said he,
with proper feeling.
BARLEY eyed him still more severely.
And even cash distracted"
Good heavenSl" said the young man,
answering his eyes rather than his
words. "Why, surely you can't suspect
me?"
BARLEY answered, sternly, 81 know I
have been robbed, and SO / suspect
everybody whose conduct is suspicious."
This was too much for a Clifford to
bear. He turned on him like lion.
"Your suspicious disgrace the trader
who entertainS them, not the gentleman
they wrong. You are too old for me to
give you thraShing, so | won't stay
here any longer to be insulted-"
marching off, when the door opened,
and MoncktOn with detective confront
ed him.
NO." roared BARLEY, furious in turn;
Hbut you will stay to be examined"
Examined"
Searched, then, if you like it better"
NO, don't do that" said the young
fellow. Spare me such a humiliation"
WELL" said BARLEY, Il will examine
the safe before 60 further" He OPEN
ed the safe and took out the cash-box.
It was empty, He uttered a loud ex,
clamatiOn. "Why, it's clean swept
A wholesale robbery! Notes and gold
all gonel No wonder you were in such
a hurry to leave! Luckily some of the
notes were numbered. Search him."
mo, no. Don't treat me like theft"
cried the poor boy, almost sobbing.
eff you are innocent, why object?"
said MonclltOn, satirically.
"You villain" cried Clifford, "this is
your doing / am sure of itl
MOncktOn only grinned triumphantly;
but BARLEY fired up. ''If there is VII
lain here, it is you. He is faithful SER
want, who warned his employer" He
then pointed sternly at young Bolton,
and the detective stepped up to him and
said, CURLY, "Now, sir; if l must"
He then proceeded to search his waist
coat pockets. The young man hung his
head, and looked guilty. He had heard
of money being put into an innocent
mans pockets, and he feared that game
had been played with him.
The detective examined his waistcoat
pockets and found-nothing. His other
pockets nothing. He patted his breast
and examined his stockings-nothing
"Try the bag" said Monckton.
The detective searched the bag-noth-
ing. He took the overcoat and turned
the pockets Out-nOthing.
BARLEY looked surprised. Monckton
still more SO. Meantime Hope had gone
round from the lobby, and now entered
by the small office, and stood watching
a part of this business, viz, the search
of the bag and the overcoat, with a Bit
ter look of irony.
"But my safe must have been opened
with false keys" cried BARLEY. "N here
are they"
And the numbered notes." said
Monckton, where are they"
Gentlemen" said Hope, may offer
my advice?"
aWho the devil are your" said Monck-
ton.
"He is my new partner, my associate
in business" said the polite BARLEY.
Then deferentially to Hope, What do
you advise"
anime them BOTH"
Examine nleg" cried Monckton. "Mr.
BARLEY, will you allow such an affront
to be put on your old and faithful SER
vant?"
"If you are innocent, why object?"
said young Clifford, spitefully, before
BARLEY could answers
well, it is only fair to Mr.. Bolton"
said BARLEY. Come, come, Monckto1,
it is only form"
Then he gave the detective signal,
and he stepped up to Monckton, and
emptied his waistcoat pockets of eighty
five sovereigns.
@Therel" cried Walter Clifford. @Therel
Jherel"
MY own money, won at the Derby"
said MoncktOn, cOolly; "and only a part
of it, / am happy to say. You viii find
the remainder in bank-noteS."
The detective found several notes.