The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-06-05
THE MANUFACTURER.
n. Y, Thbunal

of 1877, while was busy sorting checks
in the outer Office OF the Lombard-st
bank, received a message that the man.
ager wished TO see me in his private room.
"Mr. Williams" be said, when en-
tered the apartment, at want you to take
E22,000 to Marlborough to-night-E7, 600
in gold, the rest in notes The express
leaves Euston at $50 and reaches Mud
borough at S:15. A clerk from the bank
of Marlborough will meet you on your
arrival. You might 60 home now to dine
and make your arrangements, and return
here at So'clock, when Mr.. Smith will have
the consignment ready for you. OF course
you will keep your eyes open on the
journey" he added, pleasantly, as l was
leaving the room. mot that il would be
easy TO steal such heavy box from you |;
bot you will have time to sleep when you
get to Marlborough. Goodbye"
The communication did not at all sur
prise me: was about twenty-three years
of age, and. having the reputation OF be-
ing sharp and reliable, had been intrusted
with many missions OF similar nature
during the FIVE years had been in the
bank. Besides, there was bit of finan-
cial scare at the time. and gold and notes
were being sent in large quantities from
London to the provinces.
Having received my instructions. left
the bank and started on the way to Brix-
ton, where lived. As ] was walking
down Lombard-st., toward the bus stand,
l remembered that | had appointed to
meet friend at a billiard-room in the
neighborhood at $50, and, as it was i'm
possible, under the circumstances, to keep
the appointment, thought it only fair to
leave word to that effect. Accordingly,
before taking bus to Brixton, called
at the billiard-room and instructed the
marker to tell my friend that, as had to
90 TO Marlborough, could not see him
until the next day but one. Having left
this message went home and returned TO
the bank at o'clock.
When I came back Mr.. Smith, who was
our head cashier, was waiting for me with
the money and a letter of advice to the
bank OF Marlborough. The gold was tied
up in seven bags, each containing one
thousand sovereigns, and the notes were
made up in bundles. We packed them
carefully in a leather box which looked
like a dimlnutive pOrtmanteau, though in
side il was lined with iron.
cit is pretty heavy" he said, referring
10 the box, when we had locked and
strapped it up securely, and had put the
key in ny pocket, after giving him q re-
ceipt. at would not be very easy to run
away with; but you had better, think,
let Douglas take your ticket while you
yourself see it put into your carriage"
Douglas, l may mention, was one of the
bank porters, who was to accompany me
TO Euston, and the box weighed altogether
about eleven stone.
"All right" replied; 81 had better get
10 the station in time to secure place be-
fore MANY of the passengers come; not
that there's likely to be crowd, but a
heavy thing like this attracts attention,
and may as well get it into the carriage
as quietly as possible"
"Quite so, said Mr.. Smith, "the sooner
you get into the carriage the better. The
guard will look after you on the way down
Don't leave the carriage for a moment un-
less he STANDS at the door"
Inc box was wheeled out of the bank
and put into a cab. got inside, while
Douglas took his seat beside the driver.
swell, goodbye, and take care OF your
self, y said Mr.. Smith, as he shook hands
with me through the window.
Goodbye" responded, and we set Of
for Euston station.
II was just o'clock when we drew up
In the yard of the station, and, having as
sisted a railway porter to put the box on a
truck, Douglas went TO get my ticket
whilst / accompanied the truck to the
train, which was already drawn up by the
platform.
''Halloo, WiIliamsl Going to Rugby 90
exclaimed a voice behind me, as | walked
along by the porters side, looking for a
hrst-class carriage. The speaker was a
tall, faiT-haired young man named Hill,
who was a habitue of the billiard room
where / had left the message that after
noon and who, as 1 understood, was en-
gagged in stockholders Office.
"No," l replied, Il am going a great
deal further, / am sorry to say, Tor hate
travelling at night
well, we'll go as far as Rugby together.
How odd we should meet in this way"
continued Hill. "Ill tiD the guard. and
we'll have the carriage to ourselves You
will be all alone when l get out at Rugby.
Here, this carriage will do. Let us secure
the corner seat. Stay, I'll give Won hand.
Your back to the engine? That's it." AS
he spoke he threw a rug which he was
carrying on bis arm on the seat. and, getting
into the carriage, assisted the porter in
pushing the strong box under the place
where was 10 sit. "Wait for me a mo-
ment while get my bag from the cloak
room" he continued to me, as he got out
Of the carriage and went in the direction
OF the cloak room.
He had been gone for about minute
when Douglas came from the booking
Office with my ticket. Douglas, I NAV
mention, was shrewd old Scotchman,
with whom | had always been on very
good terms. When he had given me nv
ticket, be looked carefully under the seat
70 see thst the box was safe, and then,
while we were standing at the door of the
carriage exchanging a few words before
We left, Mr.. Hill came back with porter
carving large, handsome traveling-bag.
You know that gentleman, STRIP
whispered Douglas in an interrogative
tone, as Hill got into the carriage with his
bag.
eyes" answered, he is a stock-broker."
''Oh, that's all right, SIR" replied Doug
las. Excuse me for asking, but it is well
70 know with whom you are travelling
when you have got such a lot of money.
Well, good night sir.
Good night" / said. l fingered for
moment al the door, 10 watch a very aris-
tocratic party who were getting into the
next compartment. There were two GEN
tlemen and two ladies, attended by foot
man, and / stood on the platform watch