The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-06-23
A CLEW BY WIRE
Or, An Interrupted Current.
BY HOWARD M. Y0ST.
Copyright. 1896. by J. B. nppineoa Co
CHAPTER Iv.-CoNTrNuED.


/ noticed the troubled look on his face.
mir. Perry, have you read the pa
pers?" / asked.
The president nodded assent.
How is it that such general i'm
preston has gone abroad that / had
something to do with the affair? Who
has started such a rumor?"
"I do not know, Conway, unless the
police have given public expression TO
their opinion"
The police. And what is their opin-
ion? Was it not shown beyond any
doubt that l was miles away from the
vault at the time that the robbery must
must have been committed? l say moth
ing about my own assertions. But how
can anyone doubt the word of man
of Mr.. Morley's standing?"
"Well, Conway, no one does doubt
that you told the truth in that. But"
Mr.. Perry seemed loath to proceed.
"But what, sir?" / demanded, after
pause.
The detectives theory is that you
had accomplices, who, from directions
given by you, were able to carry out a
prearrdugeu pan.
l answered with scornful laugh.
"Accomplices! Who are they?" l
asked.
well, I suppose they are looking for
them," Mr.. Perry said, with a half
smile.
Il hope they'll enjoy the Search" 1
said, sarcastically. "Oh, Mr.. Perry, why
is this thing brought upon me? Why
am ! so universally suspected, when
nothing can be shown against me? If
there is enough cause to attribute the
robbery to me, why am not arrested?"
"We had hoped to keep. the affair Sc
cret, for time at least. Therefore
some few of the trustees thought it
best not to make it public, as having
you arrested would have done. We were
all pledged to secrecy, but somehow the
affair got abroad. 1 suppose you did
not mention it?"
"No, indeed. i have not spoken to a
soul on the subject" 1 replied. M
Perry" cried, impulsively, you do not
believe l am guilty, do your"
81 do not wish to believe So" he re-
piled, guardedly.
"Oh, think, sir, what this terrible af-
fair means to me! 1t is fearful bur-
den for young fellow to bear who is
wholly innocent"
''It is, indeed. But, you see, it is this
way. The bank is public institution,
and 1, as it's head, dare not let my per-
sonal feelings interfere with my duty
to the public. Personally, it does not
L,t 10,
connection with the loss of the peoples
money"
"Oh, thank you, Mr.. Perry! knew
you could not think"
He cut me short. Officially, l must
hold you in doubt, so much SO at least
that / cannot give you back your po-
sition."
And did you suppose / expected to
remain ?" asked, Indignantly. 81 could
not. l want to hold no position where
absolute and perfect confidence is not
felt in me. You can consider this as my
resignation, sir" l added.
81 am glad you look upon it in that
light. 1t is manly, SIR" said Mr. Perry.
sand, Nelson, not even the restoration
of the missing funds would give me as
great pleasure as the establishment of
your innocence"
''Never fear, sir, my innocence will
soon be proved. 1t cannot be otherwise,
for l am innocent" said, confidently
II have q small estate which came to
me from my grandfather" continued
Every cent shall be expended, if nee
essary, for the purpose of proving my
innocence"
"You can do as you see fit about that,
the president said, after long pause
during which he seemed to be ponder.
ing over my words. But if you wish
for my advice, would say, do nothing
whatever on your own hook. Nelson
he continued, coming close up to me and
speaking low, ''secret measures have al
ready been begun to solve the mystery
and they will be thorough and far.
reaching. This is wholly Independent
of any Investigations the police au'
thorities Inay undertake. You see, my
boy, that do trust and believe in you
after all. What l have told you is il
strict confidence. Live as quietly ant
patiently as possible under the cloud
Take trip to Europe, and enjoy your
self"
mo, I'll stay and face the music.
am not afraid of any investigations
which may be made into my life"
''Well, good-by now. Imust not allow
you 10 take up any more of my time.
beg of you to follow my advice, and un
dertake no search on your own hook
In spite of discouragement, heartache
or long delay, do nothing yourself"
He shook my hand heartily, and lefr
him.
AS ] was going out the door leading
into the lobby, ran against a man JUS
coming in. He was an old fellow, small
and thin, and had piercing steel-blu'
eyes. He rebounded trifie from th'
collision, then gazed at me sharply.
81 beg your pardon" said. Il hop'
/ did not hurt you"
mo. Not much, at any rate. wan
to see the president. Are you the presi
dent" he asked.
There seemed to me to be something
insolent about his question, as thougl
he knew was not the president and h
had asked but TO mock me.
"You will find the president in his OF
fice," / replied, curtly. "As for me.
am q bank robber."