Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-21
CHAPTER III.


my breath came in gasps, the cold per
SEPARATION broke out on my forehead and
rolled down my face. For a few mo-
menst / stood with every muscle par
alyzed. Then 1 sank down upon the
ledge and covered my face with my
hands.
The porter, who had just come into
the vault In answer to my summons,
approached me.
whats the matter, Mr.. Conway ?
Are you sick?" he asked.
His question partially aroused me.
"Call the president and the treasurer,
Mason. Quick. Tell them to come into
the vault" managed to gasp.
"Why-why-what can be the mat
ter?" the porter exclaimed.
/ sprang to my feet and confronted
him. L cannot tell what expression was
on my face, but he slowly edged away
from me.
"Good God, mani don't stop to ques-
ton! Go, quicki" He went out imme-
diately at my vehement appeal, and
soon the president and the treasurer
came busting in.
whats up, Conway?" the president,
Mr.. Perry, asked. why, man alive,
how white you are!" he added, looking
searchingly at me.
ooh, sir, what shall do?" hardly
was saying. Its gonel all gone!"
whats all gone? Your wits? Are
you sick?" Mr.. Perry asked.
Here the treasurer uttered an ex-
clamation and pointed toward the re-
serve vault. Mr.. Perry craned his neck
and glanced inside. Then he turned
quickly to me, and his face was as white
as his shirt bosom.
"Why, God Almighty, Conway,
where's all your currency 2" he asked, in
hoarse tones.
al don't know, sir. / left began,
but the president cut me short.
els it that that's gone? You mean
stolen? How could it be? Who could
have entered the vault? You did not
forget to lock up yesterday, did your"
he asked, with terrible earnestness.
No, indeed" | answered. THE
vault was locked at usual. 1 set the
timepiece for half past eight 1 ex-
pected to be on hand and get things in
shape for the examining committee"
And you have just discovered the
loss?'
Yes. sir. l went out of town last
evening, and returned but few min
utes ago"
$50 then the lock was unprotected by
the timepiece whole hour before the
bookkeepers arrived" Mr.. Perry said,
with a most piercing glance thrown at
me.
Jackson. promised me he would be
here In my place" faltered.
"Jacksoni What has he to do with
the vault? He doesn't know the com
bination, does hep"
mo, sir. 1t was only to have an en-
ploye in the room after the timepiece
had run down, that asked him to be
present"
Call Jackson" Mr.. Perry requested
of the treasurer.
While that gentleman was gone on
his errand, Mr.. Perry and 1 made a
hasty search through the other COM
partments. We found some of them in
disorder, and, judging from appear
ances, many bonds missing.
The president was completely over
whelmed by this new discovery. He
stood gazing at me with look of the
greatest anguish on his white, drawn
face.
"Oh, Mr.. Perry" cried, cas- God hears
me, know nothing about this. Oh, be-
Heve me, 1 am innocent"
mo one has accused you, Conway, SO
far" he replied, seriously, and with sig
nincance.
"Eou cannot think ! had anything TO
do with it," / went on. "You know /
have never betrayed any trust which /
have held in this bank"
''My Godl / don't know what to think.
/ can't think. You never told anyone
the combination?" the president sud
denly asked.
"Oh, no, no; l have never breathed a
figure of it to living SOUL" answered,
earnestly.