Frederick citizen., 1895-01-04
FREDERICK CITY, MD. FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 4, 1895

at hand.
"Oh, SIR" faltered he, laying his
hand timidly on the bankers arm, do
not ask me that or any other question.
You are rich, the loss will be as moth
Ing to you; let the matter drop, 1 be-
seech you"
An expression Of pained surprise stole
over the bankers face. after so many
years of faithful service has it come to
this?" muttered he. Then in the same
cold, impassive tone, he continued
aloud: What am l to understand by
this? I am most unwilling to act with
precipitation, but unless you give me
a full explanation shall have no other
alternative but to call in a constable
and give you in charge for forgery
and embeZZlement."
Ths manager drew himself up proud
!y. MY character. Mr.. Partell," said
he, will not suffer from any investi-
cations you may institute; but again l
beseech you to pause while there Is
yet time, and not to make further in.
Quiries."
This is mere childishness," answer
ed the banker. For the last time, /
ask you who presented this check?"
"Mr. Paul Partell, if you must have
It," answered the old man. Great
Heavens, sir, be calm," he added, for
upon hearing his answer, Silas turned
livid, and seemed about to faint.
Silas Partell by a strong effort, re-
covered his self-possession. Ibid you
see, Mr.. Paul?" asked he; and the old
man noted. with feeling of secret
dread, that the banker no longer spoke
M hn 0f f1a oh lie
brother.
II did not, SIR" answered he, sadly
"but Mr.. yelling did.
THAT is sufficient" answered the
banker, "let me recommend the most
absolute discretion and do not men,
tion what has occurred to a soul until
you hear further from me-"
With slow and heavy steps, Silas
quilted the bank and upon entering his
house, desired the servants to In
form Mr.. Paul that he wished to see
him. In the meantime he entered his
study, and going straight up to the
writing table, In the drawer of which
he kept his check-book, felt in his
waistcoat pocket for the key which he
always carried there.
The key was gone and the drawer
was locked.
"It Is true then" muttered he, sink
ing into chair and covering his face
with his hands, he gave way to a
burst of grief. The brother whose wei
fare he had ever looked after and
whose future was as dear to him as his
own, had robbed him not boldly and
openly, but by a vile. cowardly forgery
he could not forgive him. "He is trad.
ing on the fact that am his brother,
muttered he, land thinks that he will
escape the punishment of his mis,leeds
for that reason, but he is mist ken
the path of duty lies clear before me
and 1 will prosecute him as If he were
the veriest stranger"
His mediationS were interrupted by
the entrance of a man servant who
with white scared face. informed him
that Mr. Paul was not to be found
"And l think he has gone away. SIR
added the man, for his room is all
upset, and his Gladstone bag has gone
too"
Without word Silas Partell put on
his hat. and making his way to the
nearest magistrate. made a commlni-
cation which resulted in a telegrapnic
message being sent to Scotland Yard.
desiring that the Great Southern Ter
minus, from which the line ran by
which Crumplebury was reached,
should be strictly watched, and the
person whose description was given
detained.
In three hours the reply came back:
suspected party arrested. Gives the
name of Paul Partell. Bundle of notes
value $1,000 found in pocket Of Glad
stone bag"
In due time Paul Partell. under the es.
cort of a detective officer, returned to
Crumplebury. He was furious at his
detention, and in spite of the caution
of the officer, spoke freely of the vii
famous trap which he asserted had
been laid for him. avowing that he
knew nothing about the large sum in
notes found in the pocket of his bag
Upon being searched, four sovereigns
some silver, and small key, were
found upon him, which latter the
banker at once identified as belonging
to the drawer where he kept his cheek
book. There was no note on the coun-
terfoil of the check. and the banker
declared that he never remembered
drawing one without making the
requisite entry. Mr.. yelling deposed
as to paying the proceeds of the check
in notes to the prisoner, and swore that
ne was the person who had hanied
II over the counter. Being severely
cross-examined by the prisoner, he de-
clared that he had not mistaken him
for his brother and as an additional
proof swore that at the time he had
on a yachting cap. which Paul Parteil
was we'll known to have been in the
habit of wearing. Silas Partelrs
butler deposed to the fact of his mas
ter having been taken with one Of his
seizures. and that. therefore, 1t Wa
impossible for him to have been tn.
person who presented the check fol
payment.
Silas Partell swore that though tn,
signature was exactly similar TO his
own, that he had drawn nothing from
his account for the past few days,
with the exception OF an order for ten
pounds in favor of John Greystone
the miller. All the time that Silas was
giving his evidence, he kept his eyes
fixed with a hard unninching gaze
upon his brothers face, and his voice
never faltered in the slightest degree
Against this array of facts Paups de-
nial was of slight avail, he denied all
knowledge of the two thousand pounds
and with regard to the key, declared
that he had noticed 1t in the gravel
drive as he left the house early in the
morning, and without rhyme or reason
had picked 1t up, and placed 1t in his
pocket The magistrate formally COM
uitted the prisoner for trial and was
adding a few words of sympathy as to
the terrible position into which the
banker had been placed, when Silas in