The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-09
- DETECTIVE sTOaiE 20 2s.

turo-withuut profit, first of all, aud then
without any charge az all for once eX-
penses, for interest on capital, iot depfe-
ciation OF plaut. The Wee President OF
the Methuselah, the one who attends 10
all their real estate, is MIR. Cerkendale.
He told me yesterday that our bid was
very low, and that we were certain to get
the contract. And now ne sonos me this,
and Mr. Whittier picked up the telegram
again.
''Do YOU mean 20 say that you think
the Tuxedo people have somehow been
made acquainted with our bics!' asked
the young man.
"That what Pm thinking now,' was
Wheatcroft's sharp answer. " can't
think anything else For two months we
haven't been successful in getting SIN
gle one OF the big contracts. We've had
our share OF the little things, of course,
but they don't amount 10 much. Inc Dig
things that we really wanted have slipped
through our fingers. We've lost them
by the skin OF our teeth every time. That
isn't accident, is il? OF course not! Then
there's only one explanation-ther
leak IN this Office somewhere.
"You doa { suspect any OF the clerks,
90 you. Mr.. Wheatcroft?" asked the elder
White sadly.
81 don't suspect anybody in particular, /"
returned the junior partner, brushing his
hair ND the wrong way "And ] suspect
every body in general ! haven't an idea
who 4 Is, but its somebody!
"Who makes up the bids on these inn
portant contracts?' asked Paul.
"Mheatcro ft'and /, answered his IA
ther. "The specifications are forwared 10
the works, and the engineers make their
estimates OF the actual cost OF labor ana
material These estimates are sent 10 us
here, and we add whatever we think b st
for interest and for expenses and icr wear
and tear and for profit.
"Who writes the letters making the offer
the one with Inc actual figures, l
mean?'' the son continued.
81 DO, " the elder Whittier explained.
81 have always done IL. f"
"You don't q ctate them to a typevrit-
er?'' Paul pursued
"Certa!aly not, the father responded
81 write them with ruy own hand and
what's more, 1 take the Eress copy my
self, ana there IS a special letter book for
such things. This letter book Is kept al
ways in the safe in tlis Office IN fact. 1
can say tbs particular letter book never
leaves my hands except TO go into that
safe. Ard, as you know, nobody has ac-
cess 10 that safe except Wheatcroit and
me. -
"And the Major" corrected the junior
"No," Mr.. Whittier explained, Evan
Zand. has no need 20 20 there now."
''But he used 10, Mr.. Mheaicroft per-
sisted.
"He did once. . the senior partner re-
turned ''but when we bought those new
safes outside there ia the main office there
was no longer any need for the chef
boolskcoper 10 20 TO this smaller safe;
and SO, last month, IL was while you were
away, heatcIolt--Van Zandt came IN
here ore afternoon and said q at as be
never had occasion to GO 10 this safe, he
would rather not have the responsibility
OF knowing the combination. told him
we had perfect confidence in him -"
~ should think so!n broke in the ex-
plosive Mheatcroft. ''The Major has been
with as thirty years now. I'd suspect
myself of petty nrceny as soon as HIM. I"
''As | said, +" continued the elder Whit
fier, Il told him nat we trusted him per-
tectly, of course. Eut he urged me, and
10 please HIM / changed the combination
OF this safe that afternoon. You VIII re-
member. Wheatcroft, that ] gave you The
new word the day you came back.
"Yes, ! remem ber," said Mr.. Wheat
croft. "But | don't see why the Major
did not want TO know how to open that
safe. Perhaps he is beginning to feel his
years now. He must be sixty, the MaJor
and I've been thinking for some time he
looked worn.
Five minutes later Mr. Whittier, Mr..
Wheatcroft and the only son of the senior
partner left the glass framed private OF
flee. and, walking leisurely through the
long store, passed into the street.
They did not notice that the old book
keeper, Major Van Zandt, whose high
desk was SO placed that he could over
look the private office, had been watching
them ever since the messenger had deliv-
cred the dispatch.