Willmar tribune., 1900-08-22
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
z. THE KNICKERBOCKER BANK
Richard Dunlap was man who had
never missed train nor been late in
keeping an appointment. On the
morning following Sprague's dinner
party, he walked briskly down Broad
way from City Hall. It was New
Years day; the great thoroughfare
was deserted. AS he turned into
Wall street. the hands of the clock
in Trinity steeple pointed to three
minutes of nine. The fnancier pulled
out his chronometer, found that the
clock in tn e old belfry was right,
and quickened his pace.
Wall street slumbered peacefully
and silently, like a battlefield after
the roar of the cannon has been
hushed, after the victors and the van
quished have disappeared, leaving be-
hind them only the ghosts of the
slain. The deathlike stiffness was op-
pressive.
At last, as Dunlap reached the
Knickerbocler bank, the clock in the
belfry struck the hour. The reporter
was not there. The banker uttered
an ejaculation of annoyance. He
looked up and down the street. There
was no one in sight. He resolved to
give Sturgis five minutes grace, and
began to pace back and forth before
the entrance to the bank. Then a
thought struck him. There was an
other entrance on Exchange place
that generally used by the employees
and officers. Perhaps the reporter
was waiting there. Dunlap walked
around to Exchange place and glanced
up the street. He saw a man stand
ing in the gutter and bending low
over the curb. Dunlap advanced to
obtain a front view of him and rec
ognized Sturgis. The reporter had
not noticed his approach; he held a
magnifying glass in his hand and
seemed deeply interested in a minute
examination of the smooth-worn curb.
Good morning, Mr. Sturgis," said
the banker, "have you lost some
thing?"
The reporter looked up quietly.
mo, Mr.. Dunlap; have found some
thing-something which may possibly
prove to be a hyphen.''
IA what?" asked the banker, per-
picked.
"A hyphen connecting two parts of
a very pretty puzzle.'
Dunlap stared curiously at the curb.
Il can see nothing there, said he.
Sturgis handed him the nagnifying
glass.
'Now look again.
He pointed out a particular portion
of the curb. Dunlap looked in the di-
rection Indicated.
II see what looks like dried mud,
dust particles, and a little dark spot
or stain.''
"Yes,'' said Sturgis, "that dark spot
is the hyphen. There were probably
others like it on the sidewalk yester-
day afternoon, but they have been OBJ
liberated by the pedestrians. Here,
however, are some that have re-
mained.''
AS he spoke, he led Dunlap to the
Exchange place entrance of the bank,
and pointed out number of similar
spots on the stone steps.
fortunately" he said, as if speak
ing to himself, fortunately the de-
tectives entered through the front door
last night so that they did not inter-
fere with this portion of the trail.''
'But what are these spots?" asked
the banker.
''They are blood-stains," replied the
reporter. II have every reason to be-
ieve them to be human blood. But
that question can settle positively as
soon as we are in the bank, for have
brought powerful microscope. Let
us enter now, if you like; I have seen
all there is to be seen outside. By the
way, do you know this key?"
He held up large steel key of conf
plicated structure
"Why,:' exclaimed Dunlap, surprised.
that looks like the key to the Ex-
change place door. Where did you
find it?''
I'm the gutter, near the sewer open
ing at the corner
''But how did it get there?" asked
Dunlap, anxiously.
'Perhaps I shall be able to answer
that question presently said Sturgis.
''Shall we go in now? No, not that
way. Let us enter by the Wall street
side, if you please
A couple of minutes later the outer
door of the Knickerbocker bank was
unlocked.
Excuse me if I pass in first," said
Sturgis, entering. II wish to sec
something here"
He bent low over the tiled entrance
with the magnifying glass in his hand
ut is too bad" he muttered to him
self presently. '"They nave trodder
all over the trail here. All! what il
this?"
"What?'' inquired Dunlap.
The reporter vouchsafed no reply te
this question, but asked another.
"Is Thursday a general cleaning
day at the bank?''
"Yes," answered the banker
Every evening, after the closing
hour, the floors are swept, of course
and the desks are busted; but Mon
days and Thursdays are reserved fol
washing the windows, scrubbing the
floors, and so forth"
''Then it is lucky that yesterday
was Thursday" observed sturgis
will you please hand me the key te
this gate, and that to the inner door.