The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-09-23
BELOW THE DEAD LINE
Continued from Page 4.


piled Boyd II guess you don't realize
that an hour has passed since you tele-
phoned TO me. and We're knocked out at
the instrument. All, here's the water
MI. Smith. Take long drink of IT,
and you'll soon be on your pins"
Yes, thanks, 1 already feel bet
ter"
Meantime" added BOYD. II will en-
Tighten MIR. Hersey. who appears very
much in the dark over the occasion for
such scene"
Decidedly So" declared the banker
What does Smith mean by the escape
or a. scoundrei7'
You said you had been absent since
10 o'clock, I believe" observed BOYD
turning to face him.
I did, and it's perfectly true"
Yet your three clerks would have
testif1ed 10 the contrary half an hour
after your departure" said Boyd, more
srayely- IT fear. Mr.. Hersey, that you
have been made the victim of a very
original bit OF knavery. and one Of the
shrewdest and most daring crimes Of
the day"
Good heavens. sir, What do you
mean? demanded Hersey. growing
very pale
Boyd disclosed the misfortune to him
as CONSIDERABLY as possible.
/ think my suspicious will prove
very nearly correct" said he. soon
atter your departure, Mr. Jersey, a
man entered who resembled you so
closely that your three clerks were
completely deceived by the likeness.
he at once went into your private Of
nee, where. with the help OF Mr.. Smith,
who Is entirely innocent of any miscon-
duct, the scOundrel succeeded I'm secur-
ing by crafty misrepresentation q con-
siderable part of your fortune II the
nQIirpS kxrC Ixrfv
the amount OF your loss is about one
hundred and forty thousand dollars"
The banker staggered, too astounded
by the appalling information to so to
pieces at once under the shock.
Wha-a-at" he almost shrieked.
Robbed OF one hundred and forty
thousand dollars Robbed of-are you
mad, that you stand here idle, The
police must call the police!'
Boyd quickly sprang between him
and the door.
One moment, Mr.. Hersey." he cried.
You must not notify the police"
Not notify them-you are crazy, I
shall certainly do so, Let me pass
Not until have had my say" Boyd
firmly insisted. Remember. Mr.. Her
sey, that you are one of my clients
some of whom evidently have more
faith I'm me than you have. since they
have accepted my advice in emergen-
cies quite as serious as this Now, un-
derstand me, sir. Either shall handle
This affair entirely alone and I'm my
own way. or l shall drop it at once and
return TO my Office. Now. sir, you may
call the police. if you wish"
Boyd had an ugly way of making
such moves as this. and the effect upon
the banker was precisely what he ex-
pected. Hersey fell back a step. pale
and crestfallen, and rejoined brokenly
Pardon me. Boyd Perhaps / am
wrong I'm so shocked 1 hardly know
what / am saying.
Il can appreciate your feelings. I as
sure YOU"
But have you any clue to the thief?''
Not the slightest" Boyd emphatical-
~ declared. Yet 1 shall be quite as
likely to find a clue as any member of
the New York police"
You are right. quite right Hersey
hoarsely admitted. staggering to a
chair Il am in no condition to act
wisely. I leave the case entirely to
you. Mr.. Boyd. But what's to be done
what's to be done?"
The first thing To do" replied Boyd.
lis to hear Smiths story OF the extra
ordinary affair. How are you feeling
now. Mr.. Smith? Are you able to
clearly recall all of the circumstances
which led TO the brutal assault which
You nave SuueredE
Jimmie Coleman wondered a little
Why Boyd thus laid stress upon Smith s
mishap, which was as nothing when
compared with that of his employer:
but the central office man wondered
vainly, for the subtleties of Felix BOYD
were quite often beyond his discern
ment. which was by no means inferior
for all that.
Yes. / am quite myself again. bar
IL. -
Joined. pulling himself together. 81
can tell you precisely what occurred
God help me. I fear that Mr. Hersey
never can forgive me for my blind
ness"
The factsi~ said Boyd tersely. First
Of ali, let's get at the facts. that nc
time shall be wasted. Omit no details
Mr.. Smith. however trivial they may
appear TO you ="
II will endeavor to be exact" SAID
Mr.. Smith. hopping with a wet hand
kerchief the dull red bruise on his brow
You are right I'm saying the scoundre
resembled Mr.. Jersey. / never saw
such likeness"
State just what occurred suggest
ed BOYD. We all know you though
the scamp 10 be Mr.. Hersey. Confin,
yourself to what was said and DONE
He FASTENED into the private Of
planned Mr. Hersey already had in
formed me that he might require Z
large amount OF cash this morning
hence this rascars Instructions did no
at first surprise me-"
Naturally not"
81 found him seated at Mr.. Hersey
desk. still with his hat on. as if he in
tended going out again. When he spoke
moreover. his voice was so like tina
Of my employer that i had not tn
slightest suspicion
What had he to say?"
He first stated that he had perfect
ed the deal mentioned TO me this morn
ting. and required large amount o
cash at once. He appeared I'm SOM
haste. and told me to write a check 70
$40, 0O0 which / did, and TO which n
signed the firm name"
All. a forgery, Did you examine tn
signature. Mr.. SMITH"
II did not. No thought Of distrustinl
IL entered my head"
Evidently the scoundrel had lai,