The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-10-09
OCTOBER 9. 1900.
THE LOST BANK NOTE.


. I'LL LOOt Uiltut ltO th' \.
Thief! Stop now
The next moment n white haired old
gentleman. wearing blue glasses. was
seen to fan upon the ground cllnging
determinedly to q young fellow Of the
city clerk type
A crowd soon gathered around them.
"Stay. sir, n moment" said the old
gentleman. recovering himself and
painting from his effort. while he point
ed to a well dressed spectator. "His
hand was In your pocket. l distinctly
saw him abstract IT,"
"Really-er-I felt nothing myself,
he began.
At that moment police inspector
arrived upon the scene.
''Seize that man, inspector" cried the
old gentleman quickly. "IIe Is a pick
pocket"
"Its liel" exclaimed the clerk.
The inspector placed himself near the
latteTs elbow. Meanwhile all eyes
were turned upon the man who was
feeling In his pockets.
Presently he drew forth a small roll
Of bank notes
There should be SIX Of these" he
said before counting them. lone. two,
three, four, five. There certainly Is one
short"
eco through your pockets again, SIR"
said the Inspector. Perhaps you may
find the missing note"
NO" he said anxiously when he had
completed the second examination.
"What was the value Of itT'
"a hundred pounds" replied the
man. Il had six of them. am Lord
Markham"
Evidently your lordship was not I'M
known to our friend" remarked the
old gentleman.
81 am exceedingly obliged TO you,
sir" said his lordship. but even now
I accuse nobody of theft The note
might have fallen from my pocket"
"Win you show what you have got
on your asked the inspector Of the
clerk.
Certainly not" replied the clerk.
"If you are an honest man. you won't
refuse" said the inspector.
"And l saw your hand in Lord Mark
hams pocket" interposed the old gen
tleman. Il am DR.. Storford Of Rich
mOnd."
"You will charge him, my lordY
81 am afraid there IS no alternative"
replied Lord Markham. "Dr. Storford
is so positive"
"You must come TO the police sta
tlon," said the inspector to the clerk.
"And you, too. gentlemen" continued
the inspector to Lord Markham and
the doctor.
"Will you join me in n hansomT'
said the doctor 10 Markham.
Thanks, but / must send a telegram
now TO postpone an appointment" re-
piled the latter. Pray excuse me.
shall see you again at the police sta
ton Meanwhile, accept my best
thanks for your trouble"
Some 20 minutes after the above
events took place, Lord Markham him
self arrived at the celebrated police
station.
well" inquired his lordship, chad
the young fellow got the noteT
Eyes, my lord" replied the inspector.
AT least, he had a note for E100 upon
him. But'-with n chuckle-"he says
that belongs to his employers. Messrs.
Samson & Co. Of Diapers Gardens.
am off now to ascertain IL this is cor
rect. Do you know the number Of your
noteY
NO" said Markham. "But I got
them from my bankers. and they are
sure to be in numerical order"
Then the notes were compared. Those
remaining began at the number O5G731
and continued to O56735. Obviously
the missing note was either 05G730 or
O50790.
When they looked at the note found
on the clerk, It's number was 050729.
"That practically settles the case
against him." said the inspector.
There Is only one number between,
and, of course, such n thing might cas-
lily happen"
"Better telephone to the bank and
make certain" said Lord Markham.
The inspector did so.
Question, "Have you got note No.
O5673OY'
Answer. mo; paid 1t to Lord Mark
ham this morning"
THAT practically settles the case IN
his favor" said Markham.
Then the two men sat down and
waited for the arrival Of their only
witness Dr. Storford of Richmond.
Presently the telephone bell began to
ring.
''Who are your called the inspector.
"Bank Of England"
'YesY
'Did you say just now stop No.
O56730T
"Quite right"
"Well 1t was cashed here about half
an hour ago-before you rang up"
"By whomY
"An old gentleman with white hair
and wearing blue
The inspector waited to hear no more.
He briefly explained the matter to
Lord Markham.
Lord Markham left the police station,
and Messrs. Samson & Co.'s clerk was
Immediately released, with many apol-
Ogies.
Inquiry at Richmond elected the fact
that there was no person in the town Of
kRo roO,o 80 n. DoHnxv Dfo