The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-03-26

'"o"o - NoLy Sletpi y, lOE IL WaS ~ very
essential affair"
examined the strip OF white paper,
for startling idea was already talk
ing shape in my mind, and perceived
that it had been cut from the top OF
page OF foolscap evidently with a
pair of scissors. H-.
"Do you know how you happened
to place this slip OF white paper in
here?' 49,.
mo, 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.
'Well,' l 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 you! l will
bring suit against Bronton at once,
and have him 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 it,
Then call on me tomorrow morn
ing at Nine O'clock"
II will"
He left me, and l took up the slip OF
paper and examined it closely 1t
seemed to be nothing but a stray frag
ment of foolscap, but it occurred to
me that it might have a history; and
it was here that my chemical knowl
edge came into play. l remembered
that Bronton was chemist; 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 fresh reddish
tinge, and that it would fade out en-
tirely within four days, leaving no 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 I considered this sub
ject, the more became convinced that
such was the case. Theno 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
clum. So, no sooner had Mr.. Camp
bell lett my office than I hurried out
to druggists, where obtained these
luton.
Returning to my office I saturated
piece OF blotting-paper with it, and
applied it to a corner ofthe blank slip
OF paper. The result made me Jump
with delight, for fresh and clear the
came out. [ knew not what hidden
words the paper contained, and I
placed it in my pocket-book, corked
up my vial-a vial of wrath it was
destined to prove to the worthy Mr..
Bronton-and went Immediately and
brought suit against him for the re-
cOvery OF the amount of the note with
interest and costs.
a few days later Bronton stood at
the bar OF justice to answer in his own
behalf. It seemed SO easy a case to
him that he did not deem it necessary
to employ counsel.
Mr.. Campbell swore to the facts he
had related to meconcerning the loan.
Mr.. BrOnton answered On oath that he
had no recollection of ever borrowing
any money OF the plaintiff. If he did,
where was the note? He would thank
anybody to procure it,
Your honor" said L, addressing
the judge, II think cam produce the
note in question:
II understood you that it was not
to be found,'' said Judge some
what surprised.
at has never been losv," said, as
took from my pocket the blank slip
OF paper and handed it to him.
1'This is it.
II hopeyou are not trifiing with the
COURT he said, as he glanced at both
sides, and perceived that it was blank.
IL am not, your HONOR" said I,
and proceeded at once to explain to
him the chemical fact have alreadv
described.
l watched Alexander Bronton asI
did so, and I noticed that he turned
very pale When I had concluded, I
took from my pocket the vial contain
ing the solution, saturated a piece OF
blotting with it, and pressed it upon
the blank slip of paper which lay ON
the judges desk -
A few seconds left it so, then lifted
it up, confident of the result, and l
was not disappointed. The blank
piece of paper was suddenly transform
ed into an I. 0. u, every word, letter,
and figure as clear as sunshine
1t was for FL 900, and the signature
of Alexander Bronton was at the bot
tom of it. p.
The Judge gazed in amazement from
the note toward Alexander Bronton,
and informed him that he would have
something more to answer for than
the amount of the loan, with interest
and costs.
And so he did. Abashed and ter
rified at the discovery OF his unsuc-
cessful swindle, he at once gave his
cheque for the amount due to Mr..
Campbell, and paid the costs. In
view of his confession, he was let off
with two years Imprisonment, and l
don't suppose he will dabble in invis-
able ink again.