Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-10-24
CHAPTER X.
P1ECING THE EVIDENCE.


from his work.
"Who besides yourself has key to
hc drawer in which this revolver is
scpt?'
"Tbe cashier has one and the head
bookkeeper has another"
You mean the bookkeepcr who sits
1t the desk at the extreme right in the
oookkecpers' department?
yes" replied Dunlap, that IS Mr..
Arbogast's desk. Do you know him?"
mo. What did you say the gentle
mans name is?" The reporter looked
up and prepared to make note of it.
John W. Arbogast."
"a man something over so years OF
lge. quite bald, with fringe OF gray
1air; wears a heavy mustache and side
Nhiskcrs; and had on yesterday after
loon, when you last saw him, pepper
ind-salt business suit" said Sturgis.
writing down the name in his note.
book.
Dunlap stared ut the reporter in
amazcment. Sturgis smiled slightly.
81 met the gentleman yesterday aft
srnoon," he explained.
"Oh. that accounts Tor i'll" exclaimed
he banker. 81 -but-but, then,
now comes it that you did not know his
lame?"
"I!e did not tell me his name" said
oturgis. graycly, "and | did not know
until just now that he was employed in
he Knickerbocker bank. How long
las he been with you?'
Nearly % years; but only for the
asst five years as head bookkeeper.'
Il suppose YOU have every confidence
N his honesty?' asked the reporter,
ooking critically at the diagram be-
ore him.
"Of course. Such a position is not
given TO man unless his record is ex-
,ellcnt."
And yet" observed the reporter. re-
Hcctiveiy, opportunity sometimes
makes the thief"
True; but the duty Of a bank prcs-
dent is to reduce such opportunities
o n minimum said Dunlap, somewhat
}ompously.
"Quite So" assentcd Sturgis, land
his YOU accomplish by"
ny having the books examined pc
,iodically," answered the banker, rub
Ding his hands together with calm sat
sfaction.
81 sec,' said the reporter, who had
now finished his sketch. DO the EN-
ployes of the bank know when an exam
nation of this kind is to be made?"
They do not even know that such
examinations are made. No one but
he accountant and myself are in the
secret; for the overhauling of the books
5 done entirely a night, after the bank
Is closed"
Have the books been recently ex-
lmincd|' aTkcd Sturgis, carclessly.
Yes; only last week."
"Well?"
They were found to be all right, as
usual"
May l ask by whom"
by Murray d Scott, the expert nc
,ouutantS."
"Was the examination conducted by
Mr.. Murray or by Mr.. Scott?"
10y "'''ner' ror '""''E years 'he
work was done by one or the other of
'nc member" oil 'H' hrH' put since
their business has grown TO its present
proportions McssrS. Murray and Scott
are hoIoi'F'r""le TO Nepersoha. a'teh-
l'oh TO lhelr customers f"r inc I'S'
TWO years 'ne| So Se''s US trusted
t"PIoye' Mr. 'ha'na'''- holhaS Oh"I-
gam.
les saId SturSlS' VINO was appar-
entity Wooi-Eatherihg'
y silence OF several minutes followed
curing Whl'h the rePor!er tnouS gnu
1ulIN inspected ms coiecuoh OIL micro
scope odHs ana 'huS' VINE buhiaP
beat the devils tattoo upon the DESK
Presently the reporter spoke again;
do YOU know young man. about
i've feet eight inches tan, WIN merry req
hair, who affects somewhat loud
clothes'
"Nhy, that IS Thomas 'hatham. lou
know him, then
81? No; l never heard OF INN be-
FORE
Then, how on earth do You
know
"lle has been here recently.
eyes; told you he had been here last
week; but"
NO; | mean be was here yesterday
afternoon" interrupted the reporter.