San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-07

my own handwriting: and yet those three
checks are forgeries. | believe that the
Inducements on tine back are equally
forgcries. Now, can l take these with
me to the office of the chief of police, or
do you desire that the detectives should
night, and all traces have been lost.
What Is the amount that he has drawn"
Zone check, payable to the order of
William Hayden for board furnished to
the recruiting party, is to the amount of
$3.50. The second, payable to James
Freeman, and Endorsed by him to Will
lam Taintor, as was the first, is for the
rent of the building occupied by the re-
cruiting rendezvous, precisely similar in
form and amount to the previous checks,
for the sum of $50. The third check is
payable to William Taintor himself,
marked for extra duty pay as clerk at
the recruiting Office for the past six
months The fourth is made payable to
the order of Sergt. James Burns, extra
duty pay as on-commissioned officer in
charge of the party for the six months
beginning Jan. and ending June 80"
This check, too, had been Endorsed
payable to the order of William Taintor.
All four checks, amounting in all to the
sum of about one hundred and sixty dol
lars, had been paid to the deserving clerk
during the afternoon of the previous day.
Had you no suspicion of anything
wrong?' said Lane
II knew nothing about it," said the
bookkeeper They were presented to
the paying teller at the desk, and it was
not until after bank was closed, when
we came to balance up cash, that the
matter excited comment and then sus-
picion. Taintor has frequently come
here before with drafts and checks, and
if you remember, sir, on one or two &C.
casions he has been, sent for new check
books when the old ones had run out.
That's very true" said Lane. He
has been employed here in this rendez-
vous for the last ten years, and has borne,
up to within my knowledge of him, an
unimpeachable character. If any more
checks come i'll stop payment on them
until you see me, and, if possible. detain
the person who presents them"
Half an hour afterwards the captain
was back in his Office, and there, true to
his appointment, was Lieutenant Noel. "
81 have had strange and unpleasant
experience, Noel" said Lane. Most Of
my papers have been faulty made out.
My clerk deserted last night and has
turned out to be a most expert forger,
He has stolen half dozen checks from
my book, made them out to the order of
various parties, forged the Endorsements
himself, got the money yesterday after
noon, and cleared out, no one knows
where.
Great Scott, old man! that is hard
luck! How much has he let you in for?'
asked Noel, in the slang of the period.
"Only hundred and sixty dollars,
fortunately; and have made that good
this morning-placed my own check to
the credit of the recruiting fund in the
First National bank, so that in turning
over the funds to you there will be no
loss. We have to make new papers for
the clothing account; but as quickly as
possible will have them ready for your
signature and mine"
There is no hurry whatever, old fell
low" answered Noel, cheerily. I've
come back from the regiment little
short of money, and | want to have a
nest egg in the bank to begin with. It's
good thing to have fat cousin, isn't
it? He has always been very liberal and
kind to me, and, luckily, I've only drawn
on him twice. SO III hurry along"
Five minutes after Noel left, district
messenger entered with note for Capt.
Lane. 1t was addressed to him in the
handwriting of Mr.. Vincent. He opened
it with trembling hand. 1t contained
merely these words:
81 am obliged to leave for New York
this afternoon. Can you come to my
office at l o'clock? We can then talk
without interruption; and much desire
to see you. "T. l.. ".
As the big bell on the city hall had
struck one, Capt. Lane appeared at the
office of Vincent, Clark q Co., and was
shown without delay into the private
room of the senior partner. Mr.. Vim
cent, looking even older and grayer in the
wan light at the rear Of the massive
building, was seated at his desk and bus
lily occupied with book of memoranda
and figures. He pushed back his chair
and came forward at once at sight of
Lane, and motioned to the clerk to re-
tire. The cavalryman's heart was beat
ing harder then he had any recollection