Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-08-24

| IN the desk, when, as on the previous
day, Balfour's carrier came along tho
wire, this time in company with two
others. A minute later Mr.. Thomas
called Mr.. Dockfelt, saying that three
empty cash-cups had been sent him,
while, at the same time, the clerks
for each carrier were clamoring fol
change. Naturally, MIR: Dockfel'
flew into towering passion. "Leave
my store" said he. ''You are by fa,
the most brazen rascal I have eTes
seen in my life. Leave at once!'
"But, sir"
"But nothing. What yoh have
stolen will more than pay the amount
of your salary now due. Go! OF,
swear, I will have you arrestedf'
Thomas saw that it would be worse
than useless to expostulate with Mr.
Dockfelt. Nevertheless he was
greatly panied to think that his en-
ployer and friend should consider hin
guilty of petty stealing. He tool
down his hat and overcoat and left
the store.
On the following morning Mr..
Dockfelt arrived early, as he was tc
be his own cashier. In fact, he was
the first man in the store, with the ex'
ception of the shipping clerk. An un'
expected customer came in, and Mr..
Dockfelt made sale, and, forgetting
that there was no one in the cashiers
desk, sent the carrier along. He
| quickly remembered, however, and,
making change for the customer from
his own pocket, followed the cup,
which had barely passed out of his
sight. He advanced into the desk
and took the carrier down. Maj
telous! Could lie believe his eyes?
Both tip ard bill were gone.
II Mr.. Dockfelt had ever heeh be-
wildered In his life it was at this mo-
ment He was positive he had put
the money in the carrier, and equally
sure it was rot there now. He shook
the cup, and hunted carefully about
the desk, but in vain. Then he mutt
tered, half audibly: "There is but
one thing to do in such case as this.
1 will see my friend, John Garner,
the detective, and let him straighten
out the mystery, if he can.
During the course of the afternoon,
in response to Mr.. Dookfelt's message.
q thin, awkward-looking man entered
the merchants private Office. Mr..
Dockfelt held out his hand cordially.
"Well, Garner" ho cried, 81 can
truthfully say that I was never more
glad to see you in my life" He then
gave Garner q complete history of the
affair which had SO perplexed him,
and concluded: 'tI have prepared d
statement of points, which you can
study at your leisure" He then
handed Garner the following:
1. Theft always occurred on the
first sale in which a bill was rendered
in payment.
Q. THEFT always bills, never slIvef.
8. Theft was generally between Bal
fotfr and Thomas.
4. On the last morning several cups
were stolen from.
s. Dockfelt himself put money in
carrier, which reached its destination
empty.
Mr.. Garner put the paper in his
pocket and asked abruptly: "Who
opens the store In the morningP"
Somewhat surprised at the question
Mr.. Dockfelt replied: "Charles Hurst,
tile shipping clerk.
"That is oil, for the present." said
Garner. Then he arose and left the
Office.
During the next few days there
were repeated consultations between
Garner and Dockfelt, each time the
detective being in disguise. The
third day the disguise was so complete
that Mr.. Dockfelt greeted the entrance
of IN apparently ill-bred and boorish
fellow with a sharp "Well, sir?"
The detective bent forward. Gear
her." said he.
"Well, well."' cried the merchant.
"Your disguise is complete. How is
it3 Have you solved the problem?"
"Have I solved the problem? Well.
my dear Jir, it's one OF the most pecu-
liar cases-yes, I think I may say I
have"
Mr.. Dockfelt at once became all
eagerness. His cheeks glowed with
excitement and his eyes shone bright
ly. "Well-Mr. Garner-let me hear
about it'll" he exclaimed, drawing his
chair nearer to the detectives.
Garner took small vial from his
pocket and said, "Look at this"
Mr.. Dockfelt took the bottle and
saw 1t contained scarlet liquid. IT
don't exactly see the significance OF
this" he said.
"Wait," said Garner; 'hear me
through. Charles Hurst, the shipping
clerk, is the cause of all this trouble.
He and Thomas are in love with the
same girl. Thomas has been &C
cepted-Hurst burns for revenge. I
suppose l was the only person who
knew the secret of the powerful COM
position you see in that bottle. But
it seems that Hurst has discovered it
also. Watch the effect Of the stuff. :"
Garner took small piece of paper
from his pocket, laid it on the table
and uncorked the vial. He poured
small quantity Of the liquid on the
paper and in ten seconds all that was
left of the paper was an almost impal-
pable gray ash.
''The effect" said Garner, "of the
composition upon the wood bottoms
of the carriers is to render the wood
soft, so that it Immediately absorbs
the ashes of the paper. Hurst, every
morning, put some Of this liquid in
Balfour's carrier-a very small amount
indeed. The money was, of course,
destroyed. I think I can explain the
counts in your statement" he added,
taking from his pocket the slip of
paper which Dockfelt had handed him