The Holly chieftain., 1898-07-15

then. Whether >her feeling for me has
changed or rot do not know
You have stuck to your promise,
then?'
-why, certainly" l answered. with
some indignation at the implied doubt
of me.
Vow about the investigation You de
sire to engage in," Sonntag said,
changing the subject rather abruptly.
What DO you propose to do? Hsw go
about it?"
.0h, hire some smart detective
replied. Il suppose that will be the
only way. What else can do?''
do you think the bank officials have
done nothing? Do you think you could
find any shrewder detectives than have
undoubtedly been working on the case.
If the bank with all its tremendous re-
sources has not succeeded in running
the robbers down, how can you expect
to succeed when your limited means
would make your search merely a
superficial one?"
but, heavens. nan! what am to do
Garry this load to the grave? Why, Mr..
Sonntag. this suspicion of me. you can
not imagine what horrible thing it is,
how it darkens my life!" exclaimed.
in bitterness of spirit, as realized how
hopeless my case seemed.
You have been patient SO long under
your trouble, a little more endurance
will not hurt you." Sonntag said. in
answer to my despairing words.
You'll come out of it all with fly
! me sclortssome day. Now it may not
look so to you, but 10 me it appears
that yen have done great deal your
| self. in the Investigations which no
doubt are still in progress"
| "How ciln that be? Ihave done moth
ing"
"And that is exactly what mean.
That very course seems to me to be
great feature in the search, though
you cannoSfee it in that light" sonn-
tag smilety knowing way.
in what respect has my supineness
aided the casc?' asked, curiously.
by allowing the real perpetrators of
| the crime to feel secure in their posi-
ton, knowing as they probably do that
you are still the only suspected party"
was much impressed by the old fell
lows words.
You Fought to have been detective"
1 remarked. at which he turned his
sharp glance toward me and answered:
YES, l might have done something
in that line. But prefer quiet life"
Sonntag followed me out to the bug
gy. l took up the lines. but thought
occurred to me, and delayed my de-
parture to voice it.
"Do you know Mr.. Morley?" asked.
mo, I do not" was Sonntag's answer.
'Then where did you get your in
formation about that gentleman's de-
fense of me?"
Still, don't mind telling you. 1t was
from Horace jackson received the in
formation"
From Jackson!" I exclaimed, in sur
prise. "You know Jackson, then?"
Yes; merely speaking acquain-
tance, though. He comes here quite
frequently"
"How can he get away from the
bank?" asked.
"He is not employed there now.
jackson has become quite wealthy, at
least SO he himself says. He has made
some big strikes speculnting In coal
lands. He said he could not AFFORD to
devote his time to the bank for paltry
salary when his interests outside had
grown SO important. So he left about
five or six months ago"
.'Then he did finally fulfill his threat
of leaving" remarked. He was al
ways talking about leaving" con-
tinued, in explanation. "As he still
held on to his position notwithstand-
ing, it got to be q standing joke in the
Office about Jackson quitting the job"
"Ah, indeed? He seemed, then, to
desire that every one of his associates
might expect his leaving at any time?"
remarked the lawyer, with a signifi-
canoe could not then account for.
Il suppose SO, or he would not have
reiterated his intention SO frequently.
And he's become rich? No wonder.
He told me once he was interested with
Mr.. Morley in few business ventures.
Well. he's lucky. You'll Zoe over, then,
tomorrow"
"Yes. Good-day."