The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-04

In the whole Of my long md event.
ful experience as a tracker OF GRIM
inals. there is one failing which has
puzzled me more than any other thing
in connection with the men whom l
have been fortunate enough to hunt
down, and that is the extreme care
lessness shown by the cleverest OF
scoundrels A man will plan out
crime with the utmost subtlety and in
genuity. providing FOR well-nigh every
contingency. and altogether showing
himself 20 be a Napoleon of criminal
ity. but all the same by sheer care
lessness or want of foresight, he VIII
ieave one glaringlv obvious clew when
brings his house OF cards to the ground
and delivers him into the clutches OF
the law. It IL the history of such
scheme, ruined by such an oversight
that 1 will set down in the lines that
follow:
One morning was instructed by my
chief at headquarters to so to the OF
tice of John Pennythorpe, in Golden
Square, to inquire into a forgery case.
at once took my steps to the office
named. and, after short delay, was
shown into Mr. Pennythorpe's room
He was a genial-looking, clean-shav-
en- man Ol SOInt % SttlS' tllh iS ACoN
to greet me with a smile.
Good morning, Mr.. Blake" he said.
as he motioned me to a chair. Il am
glad that you have come so promptly.
for there has been some bother over a
check of mine"
/ prepared to listen to the details,
and be continues: Last Monday |
received from the bank the usual paid
checks which they are in the habit OF
returning to ME every month. There
We're fifteen in all, most of then for
small sums. One of them, however,
was for no less an amount than $500.
and directly / looked at it ] knew that
it was a forgery.
"1he signature and the body of the
check were apparently in my own
handwriting, but as l had not drawn
anything like such a sum for months
past, l knew, of course, that the busl-
ness was a fraud. l at once Commu-
nicated with the manager of the bank
and also with Scotland Yard"
You seem unnecessarily agitated,'
remarked, after a Iausa, for after
all the bank, I presume, will bear the
loss and not yourself In the case or
forCeries the bank is always LIABLE
quite so, quite So" he returned. Il
myself do not lose a penny, but what
agitates me is the knowledge that l
must have a forger near me, for no
body but n man intimate with me could
have so gauEed the amount of my ac-
count. 1t was just C $50 so that after
paying, the amount of the check, only
$50 remained. The bank has treated
me very honorably, and has written al
ready to say that my account has been
wit ho in NV
interest therefore, in finding the forg-
er is purely from the point of view of
justice to the bank. Doubtless, if the
scoundrel is discovered Immediately
some of the money may be refunded
mo doubt" / returned, quietly; land
now, perhaps you will be good enough
to let me see the check, also a check
bearing your genuine signature"
He took from drawer in his table a
couple Of checks. Here is the forged
document" he said, land here is the
genuine one. Compare them, and you
will detect absolutely no difference"
No. There was no noticeable differ.
ence. l scrutinzed the forged check
with the aid of my glass, but the mag.
nifying process elected absolutely
nothing.
This is the most strikngly clever
forgery that l have ever come across,
l said, after pause. 81 do not won
der that the bank people We're deceiv
ed"
Nor l." he made answer, for upor
my word / myself should have beer
taken in by so extraordinary an imita
ton. And now, if there are any de
tails l can give you which may be ser
viceable, pray command me-"
First of ALL" l said slowly, 4"
should like to ask you where you usu
ally keep your check book"
II am afraid" he answered, "tha
have been rather careless in that re
spect. Its usual place is an exposet
position on this desk"
"Who has access to this room?"
81 have only one clerk, and he come
and goes when he likes"
do you suspect him?'
MY dear sir" he answered, as h
rose and paced the room, "it is impos
sible for me to say. He has alway
appeared thoroughly reliable"
How long have you had the MANI"
Three years. He came to me wit
admirable testimonials I do not thin
he could possibly be guilty"
Would this youth be acquainte
with the state of your passbook. s
that ne would be in position to ino,
how far he might go without over
drawing the account?"
"Oh, yes. You see. he usually goe
to the bank for me, and checks III
passbook with the returned checks.
have always had so much confidence
Jenkins that | have allowed him absC
Lutte control of nv bank business"
II gee. Has he appeared to you late