The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-14

thing like frowns Of suspicion and anx-
iety rested upon the faces of all, from
President. Billingsby down to jolly Harry
Everett. the lusty messenger Of the bank.
Only this very morning, Mr.. Bnlingsby.
as he was entering the bank, had acct
dentally overheard most ominous con-
versation between a large depositor and
one Of the receiving tellers.
what in the Old Harry's the matter
with you folks here, anyhow? Bank in
trouble?"
Eth? What? Why certainly not!
Never had a larger surplus than this very
minute" replied the teller in almost Of
Tended surprise.
That straight"
Dead morally, incontrovertibly
straight
well, you don't look 1t. Nobody has
looked it here for month All seem to
10 be in the dumps; seem to be in mourn
ing; seem to have a funeral on hand, Any
thing to weep over, honest now?'
Nonsense! Not thing" returned the
teller with assumed heartiness, as he blot
ted the entry and returned the customers
book
Don't believe it. Looks like peculation,
or cheek kiting, or the banks been hard
hit with forgery, or balloon loans. See
here, now, young man." continued the Gus
toner, lowering his voice confldentially,
and speaking closely to the window, you
Just say for me to friend Billingsby on
the quiet, you know, that this COMPOUNDED
churlishness and down-in-th' mouthness,
are really hurting the Trust and Security"
Hurting it?"
"Yes, hurting it. Friends of the bank
are whispering 1t over and shaking their
heads. First thing you know here, de-
posits will be quietly Withdrawn. Then
there'll be a run. Then up youll go! Seer"
1.-TWO million more than we can use, in
the vaults" replied the teller with an in
credulous smile.
Don't matter Two days of the right
kind of a crowdd leave the balance the
other way. You just mention what I've
said to Billngsby. Good morning.
81 will, sure. Thanks" replied the tel
Ter with genuine activity, he shook
himself into something like cheeriness,
but, on the departure of the customer in
stantly relapsed into his previous look of
gravity and concern.
THAT settles itg' said Mr.. Billingsby
stoutly to himself. as he entered his pri-
vate office, removed his overcoat and i'm
mediately returned to the exchange.
He passed quickly behind the oak and
brass-grated partitions and moved rapid
~ from one little compartment to another,
to each occupant.
This had an almost electrical effect in
reinfusing. whether enforced or real, that
demeanor of satisfaction and general con-
tent which has often been known to
stand a bank in the stead of sorely needed
cash in times of great emergency and
peril.
Mr.. Billingsby, after observing with sat
isfastion the marked change his brief
conference with his employees had created.
returned to his private office with the re-
mark.
II told them I would end this annoyance
at once, and now / will do it!'
With only a mere glance at the huge pile
of unopened letters on his desk, he imme-
diately went to the telephone and gave
the instrument a peremptory ring.
He made his order to the central Of
flee, and while waiting for response to
his call, stood looking worriedly through
the strong iron bars Of his window into
the walled court below Suddenly he gave
little start.
Wonder what old Everetts doing down
there?" he reflected. That's no place
for him at this hour I didn't know any
of our employees had access to the court
before noon or after one"
Yes" turning to the instrument The
Trust and Security-Mr. Billingsby's at
the phone. Is that you, Dngleton? Good
morning! Busy?"
n nlllt SlleHGe enSueQ.
Sorry; but can't you postpone your
preliminary Investigations on that Jew
elry robbery little later in the day? My
word is in a measure involved in straight
ening out a little matter here immediate
ly. Greatly obliged if you would step
down for a few minutes-yourself YOU
know"
Another short silence followed during
which Mr.. Billingsbys face expressed
hopefulness, perturbation and satisfac-
tion by turns.
''All right. Very much obliged. Just
run in for few minutes on your way to
the train. Um-m-m?-All right. Good
byew
He rang off the call; stepped to the
window; peered closely about the court,
and with the remark Il sometimes don't
know just what TO make of old Everett
But it isn't him, that's sure enoughr'
began a hasty examination of his morn
ing's mail.
He was thus deeply engrossed when
Dingleton. the head Of a great detective
agency, entered his private office, seated
himself close to his desk, and with a
slight inclination of his head backward.
toward the tellers and the vault, said
cheerily.
mo trouble out there, hope?"
Not like any of the detectives in the sto-
ries and the books, was Dingleton; those
detectives with black-blue boards and
plack-Dlue mOuSUacheS, dreadful voices
and steely, glittering eyes, who ramp
and rend and roar through time and
space, the Nemeses of avenging justice,
and who should all be clapped into the
vacuum Of forgetfulness by one trium-
plant sweep of the stern hand of justice
avenged.
He was stocky, pudgy man, with as
fine a paunch as good living ever grew, a
comfortable way of resting his hands upon
II, knobby head which had room to re-
pose upon big neck set close down
within broad shoulders, and with such a
pleasant and merry smile lighting his gray
eyes and pursuing his kindly mouth, that
any one, knowing him, would almost
welcome trouble for the pleasure OF hay
ing Dingleton to help him out
Nothing serious" answered Mr.. Bill
lingsby, Frightening up.
That's goodr' said DinRleton heartily
1T might lead to worse, though" con.
tinued the banker refectively
That's so;' assented Dingleton pleas
antly.
THE entire amount has not exceeded
three months salary Of our lowest paid
clerk But the nature of the peculations
In md