The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-05-07

down, and that is
the extreme carelessness shown by the
cleverest of scoundrcls. 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 Nil the same, by sheer
carelessness or want of foresight, he
will leave one glarine obvious clcw
which brings his house Of cards to the
ground and delivers him into the
clutches OF the law. 1t is the history
of such q scheme, ruined by such an
oversight, that I will set down in the
lines that follow:
One morning I was instructed by
my chief at headquarters to SO to the
office of Mr.. John Pcnnythorpe, in
Golden Square, to inquire into o forg-
cry case. at once took my steps to
the office named, and after q short de-
lay was shown into Mr.. Pennythorpe's
room.
He was genial Hooking, clean
shaven man of some thirty-five years,
and he rose to greet me with q smile.
"Good morning, Mr.. Blake" he
said, as he motioned me to chair.
II am glad that you have come so
promptly, for there has been some
=, bother over check Of mine"
1 prepared to listen to the details,
nd he continued: "Last Monday I
Zreceived from the hank tho usual paid
checks, which they arc in the habit Of
returning to me every month. There
were fifteen in all, most Of them for
snail sums. One Of them, however,
was for no less an amount than $500,
and directly looked at it I knew that
1t was forgery.
"Thc 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, knew, Of course, that tho bust
ness was q fraud. I at once communi-
Gated with the manager Of tho bank
and also with Scotland Yard"
''You seem unnecessarily asitated,"
I remarked, after pause, "for after
all the bank, presume, will bear the
loss and not yourself. In the case Of
torgeries the bank is always liable"
"Quite so, quite So" he returned.
IT myself do not lose penny; but
what agitates me is the knowledge
that I must have q forger near me,
for nobody but man intimate with
me could have so gagged the amount
Of nv account. 1t was just $3.50, so
that after paying the amount Of the
check only $50 remained.
The bank has treated me worry hon
orably, and has written already to say
that my account has been ere dited
with the $500 in question. My inter
est, therefore, in finding the forger is
purely from the point Of view Of JUS
lice to the bank. Doubtless if the
scouudrel is discovered Immediately
some of the money may be refunded. "
emo doubt" I returned, quietly,
"and now perhaps you will be good
enough to let me see the check, also
check bearing your genuine sigma
ture."
He took from drawer in his table
. couple of checks. "Here is the
forged document" he said, "and here
Isl genuine one. Compare them and
YOU will detect absolutely no differ
ence."
No. There was no noticeable differ
once. scrutinized the forged check
with the aid Of my glass, but the mag
nifying process elected absolutely
nothing.
'"rhis is the most strikingly clever
forgery that I have ever come across, >
I said, after pause. 81 do not Won
der that the bank people were de-
ceived."
"Nor l." he made answer, "fol
upon my word myself should have
been taken in by 50 extraordinary oil
imitation. And now, if there are any
details I can give you which may be
serviceable, pray command me. -
"First Of all, l said, slowly, {"
should like to ask where you usually
keep your check book"
II am afraid" he answered, "thaI
I have been rather careless in that re
spect. Its usual place is in an ex
posed position on this desk
"Who has access to this room?'
II have onlyo one clerk, and he comes
and goes when he likes"
"Do you suspect him."
"My dear sir" he answered, as III
arose and paced the room, sit is i'm
possible for me to say. He has al
ways appeared thoroughly reliable.
GLOW long have you had the man?'
"Three years. He came to MI
with admirable testimonials. I do no
think he could possibly be guilty"
would this youth be acquainted
with the state of your passbook, ST
that he would be in position t.
know how far he might go withou
overdrawing the account?"
ooh, yes. You see, he usually goe
10 the bank for me and checks tn