, 1905-03-22
"Are you sure this Is all right?"
Curtis laughed lightly.

Are you sure this Is all right?'
Curtis laughed lightly. .#.
You are not going to dishonor your
fathers own check. are your he said
In careless fashion. 'Mr. Prescott will
assure you that it is all right"
He moved closer to the bank presi-
dent, and Prescott, with the muzzle of
a revolver pressing into his side, could
only nod his assent. Curtis had as
sured him that at the first sign of at
tempted communication with n of
the two clerks all would be shot and
he would be safe in the country before
the crime was discovered. Prescott
was a brave man, but he agreed with
Curtis argument hat the money would
do him little good if he were to be shot
for refusing it.
Marion gave III more curious glance
at the pair and turned toward the
vault. In n moment she r%eappeared.
"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 n skilled workman, he liked
to see a job done expeditiously.
In a couple of minutes the pair re
turned. Marion carried a package OF
bills, while Howard swung a bag o v
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
low of her cage and prepared to count
You see, we keep most of our reserve
Dn deposit in town, and for local use
we have mostly small bills"
Colo will do" responded Curtis ami
ably. Il am not particular, though, of
curse. the large bills are easier to han
de
Howard came around the corner
with the gold, but before Curtis could
grasp the bag of coins it descended up
on his head with force sufficient to
knock his heavy hat over his eyes and
stun him before the ready pistol in his
coat pocket could be fired.
Ten minutes later, under TIE reviv-
ing influence of ice water applied ex-
ternally and brandy in internal appli-
cations, Curtis woke up. Howard stood
over him, completing the work of Sc
curing him with rope.
you will pardon me, Mr.. Curtis he
said blandly, "for not recognizing you
more quickly; but, you see, the slip
sent out by the Bank of Tacoma gave
your name as Peters, alias Mauvel and
other names. In fact, Miss Prescott
vas the first one to see your game. No.
l wouldn't hang Miss Prescott" h. con.
tinued as he caught the muttered eX-
clamation. "You know the proverb
about curses and chickens roosting
home. There is that little matter of
killing the president and cashier Of the
First National of Caswell'- He turn
ed to greet the sole peace officer of
which the town boosted.
"That's him!" shouted Tony from the
rear. 81 saw him walk up and hit
him over the head"
Constable Post looked about awk-
wardly. I'm afraid there's some mis-.
take he growled. You didn't tell
me it was Mr.. Howard you wanted
arrested"
ARREST Howard" shouted Prescott
"Why, he's just knocked out one of the
slickest bank thieves in the country
and saved my life as well. Dwight.
you get out of here, you miserable lit
tie sneak. Bert, I'll double the reward
the Bank of Tacoma offers, and if you
and Marion can't worry along on that
and your salary you don't deserve to
get married. Post, you take this fell
low over to the lookup and give him 8
headache powder. l guess he needs il
after that clip Bert gave him. I'm go
ing to the telegraph office. Bert, you
and Marion stay here and fix things
up"
From his glance one could not tell
whether he meant the disordered office
or more important matters, but Bert
and Marion knew or at least they used
their own judgment.