Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-25

thinking any one of them other thar
perfectly trustworthy. But"
Mr. Barron paused.
But some one took the money.
suggested Prier, with q smile.
Mr.. Barron looked startled.
THE very words was about to use!'
he exclaimed.
Were they? do not wonder at it,
said Prier, quietly. for none could be
more appropriate. That is the one
truth to which all our devious wander
ings amid the mazes of suspicion anC
conjecture must ever lead us. Some
body took the money; and I'll be blam-
ed if l don't"
Prier stopped short. Barron smiled.
II sincerely hoped you will" he said
Then, as he bent for a moment ovel
his breakfast, the grim smile flashed
up into the face of the detective again
The detective was doing his duty. The
man had not forgotten his impatient
hope
This fact seems evident" said Prier
impressively; "the safe was opened by
some one who knew the combination!
Who besides yourself knew it?"
MY daughter and my cashier"
mo one else?"
No one."
You feel quite sure of this?"
Il do"
I'VE shall find your cashier at the
bank when we go down there this
morning."
Yes"
What sort of man is he?"
"A young man, q noble fellow
prompt, straightforward, exact. He has
filed every position in the bank from
the lowest up. He has never failed In
a trust; he has never neglected duty
/"
Some one stole the money" inter-
rupted Prier, gravely.
But"
And l will stake my reputation that
the safe was opened by some one who
knew the combination"
(which means"
Which means just what say-and
no more! If any others knew how to
get into your safe without using force,
it is more than likely that some one or
more of those other persons took the
money. If not"
We'll, if not?"
Prier didn't answer at once. He ate
for time in silence.
You have read history, sacred and
prOfane, 1 suppose" he asked, after
Several minutes.
Certainly" said Mr.. Barron, Won
derngly.
What was the first terrible crime?"
Gains murder of Abel, suppose"
And what did Josephs brother do
with him."
Il see the point" said Mr.. Barron.
Il am glad you do. There are ties of
blood, and there are ties of honor and
integrity which should be none the less
strong: in the thousands and thou
sands of cases, when temptation comes,
these ties hold back the tempted ones
from crime; in the rare. invidivual
cases, the cases which are exceptional
in every respect, the cases with which
detectives have to deal. we find the un-
expected is what usually happens-the
unnatural is what is usually true.
Please ring the bell, Mr.. Barron, and
ask the servant to request your daugh-
ter to come up and have a cup of coffee
with u.s."
But, Mr.. Prier-"
Il must have an interview with your
daughter-Or | must relinquiSh this
case. Your daughter is innocent, or she
is guilty. l shall determine which. No
insult nor indignity shall be offered
her. If she is innocent, she need never
know that her innocence has been ques-
toned nor tested. If she is guilty"
Guilty" cried Mr.. Barron; guilty!
Great God: man. she cannot be guilty!
IF she is guilty" said Prier, speak
ing slowly and gravely, and appearing
not to have noticed the interruption, u
am in your employ. not in that Of the
IauthoritieS. and you can do what you
wish, be it much or little-so far as the
bank robbery is concerned"
And, as he finished, he smiled as ne
had smiled in the quiet and Loneliness
of his room the night before, and he
lnervOuSly touched the pocket of his
coat to be sure that the casket was still
there.
But. Mr.. Prier-"
Yes or no; once for all. You don't
doubt her standing the test, do you?"
That savage thrust won the day.
"Of course don't" Mr. Barron said
Indignantly: but l don't want hel
treated as you treated me yesterday
even in the way Of joke. She is fai
too good to be subjected to suspicion
and too delicate and sensitive to be
frightened without danger of injury tC
her. And yet, am willing you ShoulC
be as fully satisfied as l am"
Thank you. You are talking sensi'
bly,. | can do that which you desire
done only as I can see my way clearl!
at every step"
Il admit that" said Mr.. Barron.
And now" said Prier. Il have prop
Ostion to make 1t is one which
think will please you. 1t is this: Dur
| ;,,r tbi. first ;Dter,.icw with VOul