The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1901-02-21

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-
NAMED"
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-
lieve them to be human blood. But
that question | can settle positively as
soon as we are in the bank, for have
brought a powerful microscope. Let
us enter now, if you like; l have seen
all there is to be seen outside. By the
way, do you know this ley?"
He held up large steel key Of co,n-
plicated structure.
"Why,'' exclaimed Dunlap, surprised.
that looks like the key to the Ex-
change place door. Where did you
find 1t ?"
'In the gutter, near the sewer OPEN
ing at the corner"
"But how did it get there?" asked
Dunlap, anxiously.
"Perhaps | 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 l pass in first" said
sturgis, entering. II wish to see
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 trodden
all over the trail here. All! what is
this?'
"What?" inquired Dunlap.
The reporter vouchsafed no reply to
this question, but asked another.
us 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 for
washing the windows. scrubbing the
floors, and SO forth"
"Then 1t is lucky that yesterday
was Thursday" observed sturgis.
"Will you please hand me the key to
this gate, and that to the inner door,"
Upon entering the bank Sturgis re-
ouested his companion to seat him
self on particular chair, which he
designated. He then began a critical
examination ofsthe premises. Inch by
inch he scrutinized the walls, the floor,
and even the ceiling; sometimes with
the naked eye, sometimes through the
magnifying glass. He also constantly
brought into play a tape measure; and
several times he called upon Dunlap
for assistance. when the distances to
be measured were longer than his
reach.
The Wall street entrance of the
Knickerbocker bank led directly into
the space to which the public was adj
United. This space was partitioned of,
As usual. from the bookkeepers' and
cashiers departments. At the farther
end door led to reception room COM
municating with the presidents Office.
This Office itself opened into the CASH
ler's department on one side, and on
the other into a small room occupied
by the presidents secretary and type
writer, and into the vestibule 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 of duty.
A door from the clerks room led into
the cashiers department, while anoth-
err one opened into the private secre-
tary's room.
After he had finished his inspection
Of the space open to 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