Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-09-14


be measured were longer than his
reach.
The Wall street entrance of the
Knickerbocker bank led directly into
the space 20 which the public was adj
mitted. This space was partitioned of,
as usual from the bookkeepers' and
cashiers departments. At the farther
end a door led TO a reception room COM
municating with the presidents Office.
This Office itself opened into the CASH
ier's department ON one side, and on
the other into small room occupied
by the presidents secretary and type
writer, and into the yestibule of the
Exchange place entrance TO the bank.
On the right OF the vestibule was large
room in which the bank employees kept
their street clothing, and TO which they
could retire when they were off duty.
\ door from the clerks room led into
the cashiers department, while anoth-
er one opened into the private secre-
tary's room.
After he had finished his inspection
of the space open 10 the public, Stur-
gis, followed by Dunlap, passed into
the presidents reception room, and
thence in turn into the other rooms,
and finally into the cashiers and book
keepers departments.
Several times he stopped, retraced
his footsteps to some particular point
and then began his search anew. At
times he crawled about on his hands
and knees; at others he climbed upon
the furniture, the better to examine
some spot upon the wall. In the presi-
dents Office he stopped TO pick up a
great number of tiny scraps of paper
which lay in and around the waste
basket. These he carefully placed in
an envelope, which he laid upon the
presidents table.
On one side of the room there stood
a magnificent old-fashioned carved
mantelpiece. The artistic beauty of
the structure did not seem to strike
Sturgis. but he appeared TO derive
great deal Of satisfaction from an in
spection OF the large tiled hearth. Pres
emily, removing his coat and his cuffs,
he plunged his hand into the grimy
chimney and removed a handful of
SCOT, which he examined carefully and
then threw away. He repeated the OPP
Grafton again and again, until at last,
with evident satisfaction, he picked out
n small object, which he deposited in
an envelope. Then, after washing his
hands in the clerks room. he passed in
TO the cashiers department. In a cor
ner stood the telephone closet, the door
of which was open. The receiver Of the
instrument was down. The reporter
took it up and gazed at il long and ear
nestly.
oJurgIs examination or the uanK
must have lasted over two hours. At
first Richard Dunlap looked on with
mild curiosity, in which amusement
struggled with good-natured skepti-
cism. But as time wore on the banker
began to show signs of Impotence,
and when at last Sturgis returned to
the private Office and carefully depos-
tied upon a sheet of white paper a mis-
assortment of tiny scraps
and shreds, the banker could scarcely
conceal his satisfaction.
well, Mr.. Sturgis," he said, ~ hope
you have nearly completed your inves-
tigation, for my leisure is not so album
1ant that l can afford TO waste il like
this"
81 need one more witness at least"
replied the reporter, and ! am afraid
l shall have TO ask you to help me OBJ
tain it.
But" he quickly added, as he noted
Dunlap's impatient gesture, Il think
can promise you that the time you are
regretting has not been wasted"
The financier did not seem convinced
by this assertion; but he nevertheless
consented with an unwilling grace to
assist the reporter 10 the best of his
ability.
well, then" said Sturgis, tell me,
first of all, whether you keep firearms
in the bank"
"Yes," replied Dunlap; "the cashier
has a small revolver which he keeps in
hi, desk as a means of defense in case
Of a sudden attack by bank thief"
Have you the key TO the desk?"
Yes" replied the banker.
"Will you kindly see if the revolver
you mention is in its placer"
1T ought 10 be-" said Dunlap, pick
ng out the key on bunch which he
,ook from his pocket, and walking to-
wards the cashiers department with
Sturgis at his heels.
Eyes, here it is in its accustomed
place"
He handed it 10 the reporter, who ex-
lmined it attentively.
Exactly" said Sturgis, with salts
action; this is what / was looking
or"
What do you mean?" asked Dunlap.
81 mean that this is the revolver
which was fred twice last night in the
bank. See for yourself;
wo of the cartridges are empty, and
he weapon has not been cleaned since
hese shots were fired"
But who can have fired the pistol,
md at whom was it fired, and why?"
Hold on! hold onl" exclaimed Stur-
yis, smiling; lone thing at time. We
hall perhaps come TO that soon. For