The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-10-02
these, as I am not nearly finished

Certainly said he, taking the
hint and rising. ;,
'ssAny one in the place who could
show me out? All the gas is turned
off below, and I have never gone
down in the darkness, said he, NOV
ing away.
There's no one but ourselves
here. I'll show you. the: way, said |.
with alacrity, delighted to get rid OF
him.
Il had led him through the long,
dark corridor and half down the
stairs, when he suddenly cried out:
NV stick. I left my stick above. l
won't be minute, Mayheld. just
wait here for me.
He ran up stairs to fetch hissues
snd was back with me IL the dark
ness in a few seconds
"'I found it all right said he.
1T was just at the door. 1 got it
without going in at all,
II struck a match to light him,
and presently he was out on the as.
phalt of Bread street, walking rapid,
II toward Cheapside. :.
when I gotback to the counting
house, the checks were on the Hat
top of the desk. The gold and notes
were gone.
Il had. taken the numbers of the
notes on sheet of paper, and: left the
list on the sloping part of my desk to
dry before putting it into my pocket.
''The paper on which 1 had taken
the numbers of the notes was gone:
also.
AS my father-in-law spoke.I rose
to my feet:and tapped the glass over
the document let into the oak say
ing, "And this is the paper with the
numbers of the stolen notes on it. ="
'tAnd that is not the paper with
the numbers of the stolen notes on
it. said James Mayfeld.
"From the moment I left the
counting house to show Gralnly ou1
that night, 20 years ago, no one has
ever seen the list made Of the
notes. Grainly must have destroyed
it the moment he was out of Bread
street.
Here was I, on the eve of my
marriage, simply ruined.
"Grainly had my receipt for s29s
cash, and he had the s293 cash also,
and Grainly was thief who en-
loved the favor of his employer,
while was in no particular favor
with the firm.
The s4S in gold was of course
gone as much as if it had been
dropped into the crater of burning
mountain, and as the numbers cf the
notes could no longer be produced.
and they had not come direct from
a bank, but had been picked up here
and there in the country, the s24s
were gone as though they had been
blown overheard in the Atlantic
ocean.
1T was plain there would have
been no use in following Grainly,
even if I knew the way he had gone
when he gained Cheapside. 1t was
plain no marriage could take place
tomorrow morning.
;. .,I locked the Office, autographed tc
Mary that I had been Unexpectedly
delayed, jumped into hanson and
drove to Strangway's house in Clap
ham.
II told the servant to tsEein word
that wished to see Mr.. Strangway
most particularly.
''She showed mo into the library,
hurried of, and in a few seconds Mr..
strangway entered, smiling. He nc
doubt thought my anxiety to see him
was connected with my marriage.
When he heard my story, he, was
grave enough. Two hundred and
ninety-three gone, he said, frowning,
'"Gone, said I.
And the numbers of the notes
gone with the money, said he, look
ing me full in the face, with heavy
frown.
'''Not a trace left of the paper or
which took the numbers.
"sAre you sure no one but Gralnly
could have entered the counting
house2,'
Perfectly sure. All the doors
communicating with the other parts
of the house were shut-had beer
locked for the night. had not beer
outside the counting house since
luncheon.
For a few moments, he reflected
The awkward part of it, Mayheld,
he said, is that you are to be mar
ried tomorrow. Of course your mar
rage must 60 on. But I'll tell yor
what I think would be best for you
Suppose you attend the Office a:
usual tomorrow morning. You couc
leave for a couple of hours later, gel
the ceremony over and come back
"'Oh, said I, A:with this hanging
over me2 I half expected to be
locked up tonight. But I could no
get married until the money L
found, Air. Strangway.'
"'Found. Foundl The money car
never be found. Why, we have
nothing to go on. Anyway, I shal
not take steps tonight. Perhaps i
would be best to postpone your mar
riage. Yes, it would not do to mar
ry under the circumstances. I an
very sorry for you. But all that car
be done in the interests of justice
must be done. Keep the keys ane
be in. Bread street at the ordinary
time in the morning.
i'F Will be merciful to you and tel
you nothing of the scene at my
oo11oS 1aId1.