Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-05-23

l examined the strip of white paper,
for a startling idea was already TAX
ing shape in my mind, and perceived
that it had been cut from the top of
a page of foolscap evidently with a
pair of scissors.
''Do you know how you happened
to place this slip OF white paper in
heregn
s'No, 1 don't remember placing it in
there; | might have done so, thinking
it would come handy to figure on
"Will yon let me have it?"
Certainly he replied, somewhat
surprised at my modest request.
SWELL" | said, as l laid the slip on
the table, and set my inkstand upon
it, II am going to make an effort TO
recover your money for youl win
bring suit against Bronton at once,
and have hun summoned to appear
before Judge D. You can, OF
course, swear that you lent him the
money, and the note he gave you is
missing?"
"Yes, with a clear conscience. |
could not be mistaken about il"
''Then call on me tomorrow morn
ing at nine O'Clock.
II will.
He left me, and took up the slip OF
paper and examined it closely. 1t
seemed to be nothing but stray frag-
ment OF foolscap, but it occurred to
me that it might have history; and
it was here that my chemical knowl-
edge came into play. | remembered
that Bronton was achemist; and also
remembered a certain chemical trick
with which | had often amused my
self. remembered that an ink could
be made with anytime, iodine of am
monia, and chloride of zinc, in certain
proportions, which had Il fresh reddish
tinge, and that it would fade out en-
tirely within four days, leavingno mark
on the paper. Bronton no doubt
knew this secret, and he used it to
swlndle the mechanic out OF his earn
ings The more | considered this sub
ject, the more became convinced that
such was the case. The note had been
written with fading ink.
But there was another chemical Sc
cret which probably Bronton did not
know, as | had discovered it myself
by accident. This treacherous INK,
on fading out. leaves the zinc in visi-
BILE atoms on the paper, so that every
line traced with it may be restored by
the application of a certain solution
OF sulphate OF iron and hydrate of cal
| cium. So, no sooner had Mr.. Camp
bell LETT my Office than hurried out
, to a druggist 5, where obtained the so
luton.
Returning to my office saturated
piece of blottingpaper with it, and
! applied it TO corner ofthe blank slip
. of paper. The result made me jump
with delight, for fresh and clear the Z
came out. | knew not what hidden
words the paper contained, and
) placed. it in my pocket-book, corkec
q up my vial-a vial of wrath it wa:
! destined to prove TO the worthy Mr.
Bronton-and went Immediately anC
E brought suit against him for the re
? covery of the amount of the note witt
4 interest and costs.
A few days later Bronton stood al
. the bar of justice to answer in his Owl
! behalf. 1t seemed so easy q case tC
!, him that he did not deem it necessary
+ to employ counsel.
Mr.. Campbell swore to the facts b.
had related to me concerning the loan
. Mr.. Bronton aswered on oath that h
I had no recollection OF ever borrowin
any money OF the plaintiff. If he did
!, where was the note? He would thanl
anybody to procure it.
! "Your honor" said /, addressing
: the Judge, II think can produce tn
: note in question"
!, II understood you that it was no
!. to be found, said judge, some
z what surprised.
"It has never been lose" said, a
| took from my pocket the blank sli
of paper and handed it to him
20 f'This is it.
! II hopeyou are not trihing with tn
= court ]" he said as he glanced at bot
Z sides, and perceived that it was blank
II am not, your honor" said
u and proceeded at once to explain t
= him the chemical fact | have alread
described.
q | watched Alexander Bronton as
! did so, and noticed that he turne
= very pale. When I had concluded,
took from my pocket the vial contain
- ing the solution, saturated a piece
ar blotting with it, and pressed it upo
u the blank slip of paper which lay G
10 the judges desk.
y A few seconds | left it so, then LITE
it up, confident OF the result, and
- was not disappointed. The blair
~ piece Of paper was suddenly transforr
,, ed into an I. o. o., every word, lette
T. and figure as clear as sunshine.
"a 1t was for FL 900, and the signatu
= of Alexander Bronton was at the DO
na tom Of it.
~ The Judge gazed in amazement fro
- - the note toward Alexander Bronto
~ 7 and informed him that he would ha'
ii something more to answer for tht
~ the amount of the loan, with intere
~ and costs.
~ ~ And so he did. Abashed and to
- rified at the discovery OF his unsr
~ cessfuI swindie, he at once gave !
,,i1 cheque for the amount due to N
~ Campbell, and paid the costs.
~ view of his confession, he was let I
~ with two years imprisonment, and
~ IL don't suppose he win dabble in inv
=, able ink again.