The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-02-22

randum-books a railway guide. and novel
Underneath these found letter addressed t.
| Mr.. Carnforth.
As ! lifted the letter up Mr.. Hoyle pointed
to the next packet below, and said, huskiiy:
"That is my property. / can swear to it,"
This ?" asked. in amaZement, taking ou
a large envelope stuffed with papers.
alt certainly isn't mine said Carnfortb
rather contemptuOusly.
Excuse me, Mr.. Carnforth but if l were
| policeman it would be my duty now to warn
you as to what you may say"
Yes, thanks, perhaps you are right" an.
swered the young man, with keen glance al
me.
Meanwhile Mr.. Hoyle had examined the
papers in the envelope.
They are all here" he said; "but there is
no trace of the money. / suppose that is gone
! am deeply grieved, Carnforth, by this dis
covery. ] wish TO avoid prosecuting, if posi-.
BILE, for your parents sake, but you must leave
the premises at once, and for good DIR. Frank
lin Stokes" he said, turning to me, "you can
prove finding my missing papers in Mr.. Carn-
forth's private desk?"
IL can" | said but cannot say positively
at present who put them there"
/ left the Office, and in the street 1 easily
overlook young Carnforth, who bad gone out
previously.
"You have your letter with you," asked,
NHICu 4 bOOh OuI VI Gle utSh JuS6 hp"
Yes; here il is, )" he replied, taking it from
his pocket and offering it to me.
Thanks ! said; =" if you can spare me this
envelope may be able to clear the matter up.
"Will you meet me here tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock"
Young Carnforth assented cheerfully, and l
turned homeward with the envelope upon
which l based my expectations safe in my
pocket.
That night / subjected young Carnforth's
envelope to a process which brought out finger
marks on it--fnger marks recent and clear, as
we'll as cloudy ones. But when turned to the
back of the envelope and developed on it the
distinct imprint of curiOusly cOven thumb l
simply forgot the classics and calculated: Got
him!"
Next morning punctually at 10 young Carn-
forth met me near Hoyle's office.
We'll, have you found anything out?" he
inquired, as | shook hands.
"A little" / answered casually. 81 fancy
Mr.. Hoylc has robbed himself. By the way,
he has written to your father this morning,
hasn't hep"
"Yes. Why, how on earth could you know?"
said Carnforth, staring blankiy at me.
WELL" / answered, Il am assuming that he
would write and ask your father to come and
talk the matter over"
He has" interrupted the young man; "the
governors in there now; but I've told him to
let me take the chances of prosecution rather
than this slur."
So walked through the outer office. and
knocking at HOyle's private door entered forth
with. The brewer was talking earnestly with
an elderly gentleman, whom young Carnforth
hurriedly introduced as his father.
How dare you come here again, sir?" said
Hoyle turning iercely TO his pupil.
How dare you accuse this gentleman of
stealing your property?p said auihoritatively.
Il thought / engaged you TO investigate tn
robbery" he clustered. "Do you mean to
tell Mr.. Carnforth that you didn't discover the
stolen property in his sons desk?"
Yes" / said calmly; "but you didn't tell
me that you put it there"
For a moment thought Hoyle was going TO
have fit His face became purple at FIRST. and
then very pale. as he said family but clearly,
% demand your proof"
For answer / took the envelope from my
pocket. and showed the damniDg imprint of
the brewers deformed thumb to Mr.. Carnforth
and his son.
You rascal !" cried the elder Carnforth.
g So you put your papers in my sons desk and
accuse him OF stealing them. and then want to
know what will pay to avoid the scandal of
As j walked out of the office with the two
Carnforths, they expressed very warm graft
tude for the trouble had taken.
Although / would not let Mr.. Carnforth give
me check, as he wished, he has since claimed
the right TO send me certain boxes of very ex-
ceilent cigars.
Within week the affairs of HoyIe & Co. were
in bankruptcy, and HOyle himself left town
suddenly and permanently. ! have never met
with him since, but then there is lust the
chance that he is safe in prison at last.-Boston
GIobs