The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-21

any Dostmark. 1t relates to Osborn
l believe"
From Hamilton?" asked the detec-
tive with alert gaze.
The commissioner nodded. "It pur-
ports to be. 1 can't tell you what was
in it, though. The contents have not
been made public except that it ex-
onerates Osborn of any completely In
the matter of which he might be sus-
pected."
"A confession. that, almost. of crime
on Hami'ton's part?"
mo. 1t is a guarded letter. You
will have to ask the president about
it to know more. Perhaps he can tell
you; L can't"
Bruce went directly to the presidents
house, found him alone, and stated his
errand. The president showed him the
letter at once.
Il found it in the hall this morning
just inside the door, where some one
must have thrust it last night. There
| is no postmark. you see."
1t was a plain envelope with type
written address to G.. w. Hastings.
Pres. Savings Bank. Grovedale. N. II.
The letter ran:
Mr.. Hastings: You are no doubt
afraid that the savings bank funds are
stolen, but such is not the case as
far as l know. If on making such
examination as you desire, you find de-
posits not credited in the bank books,
you may rest assured if / failed to
make the entry it was mistake, and
if others have done it / know moth
ing about it. AS for Osborn he is
as honest as the day. I am unable to
return at present, but shall do so soon
+, as 1 can Show this letter to my
wife.
"a curious letter." said the detective,
staring blankly at the ceiling.
Yes, he must have seen the newspa-
per reports"
Probably thought the affair of the
deposited note hadn't come to light
yet"
'"That is what 1 thought" said the
president.
But he is right about the pass-books;
thus far they are all correct, the COM
missioner says. The letter says Osborn
| is as honest as the day. and yet hints
! that if others have failed to make
proper entries he knows nothing about
! it."
80 he does! 1 never thought of that.
! Osborn would make the entries if Ham
| ilton was not in, and Hamilton was sell
dom at the bank more than two hours
a day. What does the letter mean, do
you think?"
There seem to be two meanings, and
which fatty contradict each other. He
throws suspicion on Osborn, and yet
says he is as honest as the day. If
there is any completely on the clerks
part, it would be for Hamilton's inter-
est to have him thought innocent. On
the other hand, they seem at Odds
Hamilton hints at others, and Osborn
states that he saw Hamilton enter the
bank on the night of the twenty-sec-
ond."
True" said President Hastings,
looking puzzled. ''It is a strange case
taken in all it's aspects. wish it could
be discovered that the cashier is an
honest man. 1t Injuries trust in hui
manity to find that where we have put
full confidence we have been deceived.
| "Mr. Hamilton was, I hear, a man
much respected"
"He was, and his wife still has i'm
plicit trust in him."
Remembering Mrs. Hamilton's man.
ner, Mr.. Bruce could not perfectly
agree with him, but said nothing.
You are in her employ, are you not?"
asked Mr.. Hastings.
81 am. 1 reported to her this morn
ing"
Did she show you her advertisement
of the reward she offers for informa-
ton of her husband?"
mo, perhaps she thought I had seen
it."
The president handed him journal
and pointed to the notice, saying as
he did so:
"She came to me and together we
wrote it. 1t was before developments
about the changed amount of the note
The detective read:
$500 Reward.-Vane C. Hamilton, of
Grovedale. N. H, has been missing
since May 10. unless, as is stated by
one person, he was at the savings bank
the twenty second. Mr.. Hamilton is
thirty-five years of age; five feet ten
inches in hight; weighs about one hun
dred and fifty pounds; has a slight
swinging gait, light brown hair, dark
brown eyes; has no beard but heavy
moustache. Wheen he left home was
dressed in a gray tweed suit with sack
coat, light black overcoat, and black
Derby hat. The above amount will be
paid to any one through whose efforts
he is returned to Grovedale, N. H.
Mrs. V. G. Hamilton.
Correspondence should be addressed
to w. A. Hastings, President, Grove
dale Savings Bank.
Has this advertisement resulted in
any correspondence yet?" asked the