The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-17
owen. yes; they did, sir, once"

"Wen, yes; they did, sir, once"
'When was it2'
at was last night, sir; the night or the
robbery. But before the messenger had
got to the bank l had sent in the alarm,
just five minutes late.
What caused the deay?", l asked,
looking Michael OHara squarely in the
face.
To my surprise, the old mans lip trem-
bled and he hid his face in his hands.
IT'S no use sir; l might as well tell you.
But it will cost me my job, and little l
can afford it. The president knows it, but
he kept 1t quiet for me.
Tell me all" l said, sterny.
We'll sir, l don't expect you to believe
me, and l don't hardly believe II myself,
But last night l had queer feeling like
a stroke of somethink l felt dazed and
dizzy, and sick at my stomach. l think l
must have tainted, for | found myself ly-
ing over the arm of the chair and for
few seconds the room spun around and
could not steady myself. / got on my feet
as we'll as l could and hurried to the
alarm. 1 was five minutes behind time. l
sent it in as quick as could and then I
went to all the windows and doors and
made two tours to be sure nothing had
gone wrong"
'And you found everything
"All right sir. Doors and windows bar
red
Have you ever had queer feelings be-
force
yes, sir, on the nights of the other rob
beriesw
Michael" said I, you have told me
very queer story and one which If l should
tell 1t might lead to serious consequences
for you"
yes, sir" with trembling lip. THAT is
why | have not spoken of it before. And
when heard the bank was robbed was
SO scared that went right to see the
president to ask him not to say anything
about the alarm not being sent in"
did he consent?'
"Ie said, I'll save you as long as ! can
Michael, unless things go against you
Then il will be my duty to tell "
"Wel, Michael, you see what a slender
chance you Mould have with that story
of yours in a court of law. Now you are
in my power and l am going to show my
authority by commanding, you to remain
at home tonight"
-f"But sir, the bank"
1T will be watched, but not by you. Mr..
Caldwell told you to obey me. And l am
going TO borrow that suit of clothes you
have on, and your hat, and shoes and
spectacles. And, Michael, you will
oblige me by walking across the floor"
That afternoon when the Beacoufeld
Bank closed its doors there was excite
me among its employees. The news of
the great robbery had got around and
all knew that a large amount had just
been deposited There was talk of doub-
ling the watch. But this was given up,
as lightning would not strike twice in the
same place.
And none more worried than President
LeClerc. you take the combination" he
said to Mr. Caldwell, and tell it to the
cashier. AS for me, | should not sleep if
! knew it,
That night at the old Waterman APP
peared.
AS soon as Michael was alone he did a
queer thing. He walked from front to back
of the building, inspecting the side walls
carefully. In one corner was a clothes
press and this he tried to open first with
skeleton keys. Finally he forced the lock.
The contents of the closet must have in
terested him, for when he closed the door
he wore a pleased face.
But his tour of inspection was not yet
done. The vault wore an air of interest
to him, as though he had never seen it
before. He looked at it closely and pass
ed his hand slowly over 1t again and again.
Many times his hand Travelled across the
front.
Then he turned to the easy chair that
stood opposite the vault and lifted it from
its place. 1--WE got a hard nights watch
ing" said he, "and l think I'll take an
easier chair. There's one over there that
looks as much like this as two peas"
the Waterman rearranged all as it had
been before. There was the chair. with a
table on each side of it, and opposite
cleaning a little now in the early dusk.
stood the shining steel vault with it's small
mysterious door that could have told so
many tales.
Now it's supper time" said the watch
man. 81 brought mine with me tonight.
Quite comfortable! But a little lonelvi
Gracious what's that! Only a mouse. IL
was like creaking sound. | mustn't for
get that there's package of $4,000 and
Lord knows how much more in the vault"
But as the hours wore on sleeD began
to tell upon the watchman.mAnd he rested
longer and longer in the chair He was
an old man after all and not as brisk as
he used to be. Long night this +" he
murmured, sinking back in the chair after
sending In the O'Clock alarm and receiv-
ing his answer from headouarters
IF l keep my eyes fixed upon that one
spot on the front of the vault" he said
half aloud, Il think can keep awake. II
sort of concentrates the attention"
Leaning back in his chair, he half clos
ed his eyes, but all the while there was
that CLEAN from between the lids that
told he was keeping watch upon that
shining spot on the 'front.' of the vault
Watching in spite of the nodding head.
Suddenly the Waterman saw, or thought
he saw at the back of the great dusky
room, a creeping shadow "Nonsense -
he thought, 1T is only another mouse"
But the shadow crept up, coming closer
and closer. Back in the easy chair rest
ed the Waterman, his eyelIds hair closed
and so near asleep that ne himself could
not have sworn that he was awake.
Suddenly there stood before him a figure
tall dark figure, plainly outlined now.
and between him and the vault. With a
quick glance at the Waterman, whose
head had fallen now in slumber, the figure
adjusted the combination and opened The
door OF the vault. turning the handles as
easily as though 1t were a toy.
Out came the roll of greenbacks. his
eager fingers working like lightning. stuff
fing the bills into his pockets. II took but
a minute, but the man In the chair saw
II all