The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-07-09


was cashed at the Corn and was set
tied through the clearing house by
HartZelrs bank"
How was it drawn-to my orier?"
Yes. sir, and it's got your name on
the back of it"
Forgery
Sure" said Bailey.
FarnswOrth paced a turn or two and
then addressed Bailey.
Go out and hold Hartzell a couple
of minutes before you let him in. Then
go over to KGeelInd's detective agency
and have him send a good man over"
Bailey vanished. and Farnsworth
turned to Miss Clarendon.
'Was Bob in Boston tuesday,"
She flushed and hesitated, then an
swered steadily, Yes"
"In this Officer
"YeS."
Game early, before 1 got hareg"
Eyes"
Bob knew that that check was COM
Ing from Hartzell He may have
known that it would be mailed on the
10TH Watt"
He opene . the door and looked into
the outer Office
''AIr Hartzellr' he called. Come in"
A slender, keen eyed man of forty
entered
when my nephew called on you a
month ago about the Gorham deal. did
you mention any date when you would
probably settle?''
Hartzel stroked his chin.
81 may have mentioned the 18TH"
said he. Il told you over the phone"
You told me the Doth" said Farms
worth, unless I've forgotten. But
what did you tell him? That's the
point"
81 think I said that Gorham would
probably pay on the 18th"
Very good. Did you call at the Corn
on your way up here?"
yes; they're looking the matter up
Farnsworth sat down to the tele-
phone and called up the Corn. There
was brief conversation. at the close
of which Farnsworth pulled open a
tall drawer in his desk and took ont a
check book
Well" said he at last, here's the
joker A leaf containing three checks
signed in blank has been cut from this
book, and | didn't notice it, Shrewd
work, Hartzell. You see, that check
of yours was too big to be safely han
died at your bank 50 the rascal de
posted it in mine. That gave me a
balance of S4.700 more than l knew
about, so of course | wouldn't draw
against it. Then our thief filed out
my blanks to bearer and cashed them
at my bank. The way play this
game, Hartzell, any smooth fellow can
cash a bearer check of mine at the
Corn for a couple of thousand without
ever being asked to indorse it. | pre-
fer to make some of my payments that
way, and the bank knows it,
Indeed" said Hartzell, and he
stroked his chin again. I'm afraid
you're stuck, Farnsworth."
He turned to go, and Farnsworth did
not detain him. AS he passed out
James Kneeland. the detective, entered
and he gave the departing form a half
glance.
do you know Hartzell?" said
Farnsworth
Il met him some years ago" re-
sponded the detective thoughtfully.
Has Bailey told you about this
game that's been played on me?'
Kneeand nodded and winked his
eyes behind his big round spectacles.
'Now, the point of it." said Farms
worth, lis that Hartzell's letter, with
the check, was intercepted and opened
In this Office
IF 1t ever came here" said Knee
land.
Il tell you the thing was done here.
Checks have been taken from my
book. Who could have done that ex-
cept some one who knows the ropes
here?'
Il could have done it," said Knee
land complacently. "A good many peo-
pie know where you keep that book"
But the forged indorsement--how
do you account for that?'
probably traced. You haven't the
check, of course?"
Yes Hartzell brought it up from
his bank Here it Is"
"Hartzell left it here" said the de
tectiye. well, that's good evidence"
"Eyidence?"
THAT he didn't do the trick himself"
"I'll tell YOU who did do it," said
Farnsworth My nephew did it, It's
no trouble for him to forge my name,
Ask this Young lady here Is Bob's
writing like mineY'
"ReGarkably So" said Miss Claren-
don calmly.
Important coincidence" said Knee
land. Have you got a specimen Of
his hand? | am tolerably familiar
with yours"
There's a letter from him some
where here" said Farnsworth.
Miss Clarendon went into the next
room and returned Immediately with
an open letter.
Here is a sample of Mr.. Robert
Farnsworth's writing" said she and
gave page to the detective, who read
as follows, Farnsworth reading over
his shoulder: