The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-06-25


been fortunate
M 6k.. enough to hunt
down, and that is
the extreme carelessness shown by the
cleyerest of scoundrels. A man will
plan out crime with the utmost sub
tlety and ingenuity. providingfor we'll
nigh every contingency, and altogether
showing himself to be Napoleon OF
criminality; but all the same, by sheer
carelessness or want Of foresight, he
will leave one glaring obvious clew
which brings his house OF cards to the
ground and delivers him into the
clutches OF the law. 1t is the history
of such scheme, ruined by such an
oversight, that will set down in the
lines that follow:
One morning I was instructed by
my chief at headquarters to go to the
office of Mr.. John PG,nythorpe, in
Golden Square, to inquire into forg-
cry case. at once took my steps to
the Office named, and after short de-
lay was shown into NJ. Pennythorpe's
room.
He was o genial-looking, clean
shaven man of some thirty-five years,
and he rose to greet me with smile.
GOOD morning, Mr.. Blake" he
said, as he motioned me to chair.
st am glad that you have come SO
promptly, for there has been some
bother over check of mine"
prepared to listen to the details,
and he continued: s'Last Monday /
received from hs'hank the usual paid
checks, which the Aare in the habit of
returning to me every month. There
were fifteen in all, most of them for
small sums. One Of them, however,
was for no less an amount than $500,
and directly I looked at it I knew that
it was a forgery.
"The signature and the body OF the
check were apparently in my own
handwriting, but as I had not drawn
anything like such sum for months
past, I knew, Of course, that the bust
ness was fraud. at once communi-
Gated With the manager Of the bank
and also with Scotland Yard"
"You seem unnecessarily agitated, "
I remarked, after pause, for after
all the bank, presume, will bear the
loss and not yourself. In the case OF
forgeries the bank is always liable"
"Quite so. quite so, he returned.
'I myself do not lose penny; but
what agitates me is the knowledge
That I must have forger near me,
for nobody but man intimate with
ma could have SO gagged the amount
of my account. It was just ESQ. SO
that after paying the amount OF the
check only ESQ remained.
The bank has treated me very hon.
orably, and has written already to say
that nv account has been credited
with the s5OO in question. My inter.
est. therefore, in finding the forger is
purely from the point of view of jus
tice to the bank. Doubtless If the
scoundrel is discovered Immediately
some of the money may be refunded.
..No doubt" I returned, quietly
"and now perhaps you will be good
enough to let me see the check, also
q check bearing your genuine sigma
ture."
He took from drawer in his tabl'
a couple of checks. "Here is tn
forged document" he said, .''and her
ia a genuine one. Compare them ant
YOU will detect absolutely no differ
ence."
No. There was no noticeable differ
ence. / scrutinized the forged checl
with the aid of my glass, but the mag
nifying process elected absolutel,
nothing.
ssThis is the most strikingly cleve
forgery that I have ever come across.
said. after pause. lido not won
der that the bank people were de
ceived."
ssNor l." he made answer, $50
upon my word myself should hav
been taken in by so extraordinary q
imitation. And now, if there are an
details I can give you which may b
serviceable, pray command me"
"First of all, / said, slowly, g
should like to ask where you usual
keep your check book"
81 am afraid" he answered, "tha
have been rather careless in that re
spect. It's usual place is in an el
posed position on this desk"
"Who has access to this room?"
ST have only one clerk. and he come
and goes when he likes"
ssDo you suspect him?"
sMy dear sir" he anss cred, as
arose and paced the room, ut IS in
POSSIBLE for me to say. he has
p Ways appeared thoroughly reliable;
sHow long have you had the man
s.Three years. He came to n
9TH admirable testimonials. do n
think he could possibly be guilty.
.sWould this youth be acquaintt
Nth the state Of your passbook,
that he would be in . position
know how far he might go witno
oyerdrawing the ACCOUNT
"Oh. yes. You see, he usually go
% the bank for meNnd checks y