Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18
THE STOLEN BANK NOTES

sign of weakening. His wife, meanwhile, had
been apprehended and subjected to the third
degree. When this ordeal was over Detective
Mallory was convinced that she had had moth
ing whatever to do with the robbery, and had
not the faintest idea where the money was.
Half a dozen times Dolan asked permission to
see her or write to her. Each time the request
was curtly refused.
Newspaper men, with and without inspira-
ton, had sought the money vainly; and the
police were now seeking to trace the move
ments of Mort Dolan from the moment of the
robbery until the moment of his appearance on
the steps of the house where he lived. In this
way they hoped to get an mixing of where the
money had been hidden, for the idea of the
money being in the fiat had been abandoned.
Dolan simply wouldn't say anything. Finally,
one day, Hutchinson Hatch, reporter, made
an exhaustive search of Dolan's fiat for the
fourth time, then went to police headquarters
to talk it over with Mallory. While there
President Ashe and two directors of the
victimized bank appeared. They were wor-
ried.
as there any trace of the money!" asked
Ashe.
mot yet" responded Detective Mallory.
"Well, could we talk to Dolan a few min
utes?"
IF we didn't get anything out of him, you
won't t." said the detective; "but it won't do
any harm. Come along"
Dolan didn't seem particularly glad to see
them. He came to the bars of his cell and
peered through. 1t was only when Ashe was
introduced to him as the president of the Thir-
tenth National that he seemed to take any
form of a grin. Ashe evidently had some
thing of Importance on his mind and was seek
ing the happiest method of expression. Once
or twice he spoke aside to his companions, and
Dolan watched them curiously. At last he
turned to the prisoner.
You admit that you robbed the bankl"
he asked.
There's no need of denying it," replied
Dolan.
WELL" and Ashe hesitated'a moment, "the
and speaking on their behalf I want to say
something. If you will inform us of the
whereabouts of the money, we shall, upon its
recovery, exert every effort within Our power to
have your sentence cut in half. In other
words, as understand it, you have given the
police no trouble, you have confessed the crime,
and this, with the return of the money, should
weigh for you when sentence is pronounced.
Say the maximum is twenty years, we might
be able to get you off with ten if we get the
money"
Detective Mallory looked doubtful. He
realized, perhaps, the futility of such a prom
Use, yet he was silent. The proposition might
draw out something or other on which to
proceed.
Cant see it, said Dolan at last. "It's
get twenty years. About two of that will
come off for good behavior; SO I'll really get
eighteen years. At the end of that time III
come out with one hundred and nine thousand
dollars-rich for life and able to retire at forty
five years. In other words, while in prison
I'll be working for good stiff salary, some
thing really worth while. Very few men are
able to retire at forty-fve."
Ashe readily realized the truth of this state
ment. 1t was the point of view of a man to
whom mere prison has few terrors, a man con-
tent to remain immured for twenty years for
a consideration. He turned and spoke aside
to the two directors again.
"But III tell you what l will do" said
Dolan, after pause. "If you'll fix it so get
only two years, say. I'll give you half the
money"
There was silence. Detective Mallory
strolled along the corridor beyond tie view of
the prisoner and summoned President Ashe
to his side by jerk of his head.
Agree to that" he said. Perhaps he'll
really give up"
But it wouldn't be possible to arrange it;
would it," asked Ashe
Certainly not" said the detective; but
agree to it. Get your money if you can, and
then we'll nail him anyhow"
Ashe stared at him moment vaguely in
dignant at the treachery of the thing. Then
greed triumphed. He walked back to the
cell.
Wen agree to that. Mr.. Dolan," he said
briskly; "fx two years sentence for you in
return for half the money"
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