The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-05-07

pounds and signed by John fenny'
;borpe, payable to Self" he OBJ.
served. Eyes, have a very distinct
recollection Of taking in this check,
because it happened to be the first |
cashed on my return from my hol1-
days"
I frightened considerably.
''rhat is exceedingly Fortunate" l
'for your description OF the
man who cashed it may be Of great as
sistance. I presume you are able to
describe him?"
lie fell back and shut hts eyes, as
though striving to aid his memory IN
that manner.
eyes," he said, after pause, che
was O rather tall, thin man, OF some
sixty years. He had q white beard,
hair and mustache, and wore gold
glasses. His features, as far as ! re-
member, were commonplace. l think
he was dressed in black frock coat
and he wore no gloves"
"What makes you so certain about
his not wearing glovcs?" I asked,
quickly.
"Ah, that's the point which I am
more certain about than any other. l
an positive he wore no gloves, be-
cause T remember remarking how
shockingly his finger-nails were bit.
ten. There was hardly anything OF
them"
1 jumped up so suddenly that he
looked as though he thought me mad.
"What's the mattcr?" no asked.
"What's wrong?"
"Wrong!' I echoed. "On the con-
trary; everything's as right as can be.
By Joye-the blackguard! Excuse
me taking hasty leave, Mr.. Wilson:
but, really, L think your information
is more than sufficient. Goodby. Hope
you'll soon be better; and thanks, very
much"
Rushing down the stairs, Ibade Mrs.
Wilson hasty good afternoon, and,
jumping into my cab, ordered the
man to drive back to the bank where
I had engaged him.
Curiously enough, the manager was
just issuing from the building as we
drove up.
'NIr. Vcnn," I said, speaking very
quickly, II think I have clew. May
I ask you to accompany me in this cal
at once to follow the same up?"
He seemed rather surprised at my
manner, but acquiesced without @
word.
"Wherc are we going?" he asked,
as the cab drove off.
"We arc going" I answered, etc
Mr.. Pennythorpe's office. We shall
find our man there, unless I am very
much mistaken"
The cab set us down in Golden
Square in twenty minutes, and we a'
once took our way to the room which
I had quilted that morning.
Pennythorpe was seated writing a,
we entered. He recognized the man
ager and wished him good afternoon.
Then he turned to me and said;
"Have you found a clew?";
"More than that" cried. II have
found the man. John Pennythorpe,
arrest you, in the Queens name, OF
the charge Of attempting to defraue
the London & Suburban Bank in the
sum Of $780,"
In my time have seen many case!
of moral and physical collapse, bu
never have I seen such an utter break
down as took place in that little room
on that afternoon. Pennythorpt
seemed to shrivel up-his fac
blanched with terror-his eyes wer'
well nigh glazed, his knees shook. I
ever guilt, was written on his face, i
was written on his face then. H
chung to the table for support as h
gasped out:
'The proof-what proof have you?
"Quite enough" I answered coolly
"your disguise, Mr.. Pennythorpe
which represented you as dignife'
old gentleman Of sixty, was doubles
exceedingly artistic, and would prob
ably have insured you against detec
ton had you taken the simple precau
tion Of wearing gloves"
He looked rapidly at his hands, an(
I could see that he understood all, an
realized the clew which had tracke
him. There was long pause, at til
end of which he turned to the manager
who had stood silent spectator of til
scene and said, brokenly:
''A1r. Venn, I admit the charge.
was at my wits end to know where t
obtain thousand pounds, and I hi
upon the idea Of obtaining five hui
dred by this trick, the other five hu1
dred, of course, coming to me in til
ordinary way. Iwrote and signed th
; check, and, disguised beyond recogn
ton, I cashed it at the bank. There!
have confessed all now, and trust 20
will not be too hard on man wh
took a desperate step because his pr
sition was moro desperate STILL" Il
broke down and sobbed.
The three Of us then went to the p<
lice station, where Pennythorpe We