Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-12-15

vault SO"P0uy CS1WC W 0C<41 u CSI Ou0
noon hour, driving over from the near
est railroad town behind a. pair of !
spanking bays. Curtis was the name
in one corner Of the card he presented
to Prescott as he strolled unannounced
into the presidents Office.
But selling bank vaults was appar-
entity not his principal business, for at
ter while Prescott came out of his
| Office. Here is a check for which Mr..
Curtis wants the cash. he said,
thrusting the slip OF paper through the
window to Marion. You have a pack
age of thousand dollar bills in the cor
ner of the small safe. There are twen-
ty-ive of those. He will take the 9th
er half in hundreds
Marion looked curiously at her faith
| er's face, white and drawn.
"Are you sure this is all right2''
Curtis laughed lightly.
! He moved closer to the bank presi-
| dent, and Prescott, with the muzzle
! of revolver pressing into his side
! could only nod his assent. Curtis had
| assured him that at the first sign of
attempted communication with any of
! tAC IWo NACA AO al WCu1A UC OAOC dAO
he would be safe in the country before
| the crime was discovered. Prescott
was brave man, but be agreed with
Curtis argument that the money
! would do him little good if he were to
be shot for refusing it.
Marion gave one more curious glance
at the pair and turned toward the
vault. In moment she reappeared.
"Oh, Bert she called, will you please
come here and help me to move this
box?'
Howard went to her aid, while Cur
tbs fidgeted about, urging Prescott to
make haste. There was small danger of
interruption from a customer or from
Tony, who lunched at that hour, but
being a skillful workman he liked to
see q job done expeditiously.
In couple Of minutes the pair re-
turned. Marion carried a package of
cred with wax seals.
Il shall have to give you some gold, -
said Marion sweetly, as she tumbled
the bills on the shelf beneath the win
dow of her cage and prepared to count.
You see, we keep most Of cur re-
serve on deposit in town and for local
use we have mostly small bills
*Gold will do,'' responded Curtis
aniiably. Il am not particular, though
of course the large bills are easier
to handle."
Howard came around the corner
with the gold but before Curtis could
, grasp the bag of coins it descended
| | upon his head with force sufficient to
, knock his heavy felt hat over his eyes
and stun him. before the ready pistol
in his coat pocket could be fired
, Ten minutes later. under the reviv.
ing influence of ice water applied ex
ternally and brandy in internal appli
r cations, Curtis woke up. Howard stood
, over him, completing the work of Sc
, curing him with rope.
+ You will pardon me- Mr. Curtis,
! ne said, blandly, .'for not recognizing
+ you more quickly, but you see the sliI
sent out by the Bank of Tacoma gave
= your name as Peters, aliasMauvel ant
, other names. In fact, Miss Prescott
: was the first to see your game. No,
s | ''OAN AAo@AASo N11oS iCoCOCC., 1O NS'AA
a tinued, as he caught the muttered ex
J. clamation. "You know the proverl
= about courses and chickens Toostins
q nome. There is that little matter o
. killing the president and the cashie
. OF the First National of Caswell-
g He turned to greet the sole peace Oil
Ger OF which the town boasted.
. That's him!" shouted Tony, from
;, the rear
a Il saw him walk up and hit him owe
n the head
n Constable Post looked about awl
q Wardly. I'm afraid there's some mis-
take" he growled.
r. You didn't tell fle it was Mr.. How
If ard you wanted arrested"
h Arrest Howard" shouted Prescott
IF Why, he's just knocked out one G
IS the slickest bank thieves in the cou1
1T try, and saved my life as well. Dwigh
ct you get out Of here, you misera bl
1t little sneak. Bert, I'll double the rt
ar ward the Bank OF Tacoma offers, an
is If yon and Marion can't worry along o
thas and your salary you don't ds