Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1910-03-10

could find his way out through the
sewer. as&1z
few days later. just before closing,
carrying Il lantern with him. he en-
tered the strong room. thence the sew
er and began to walk slowly through
It. Presently he met man who
seemed to be looking about him for
what he could pick up Meldron ques-
toned him and learned that he was
one of that strange class who GAIN
living by searching the sewers. He
piloted the clerk to an opening where
egress was easy. Meldron marked the
spot so that he would know it again
One morning the banks directors re-
ceived scrap of dirty paper on which
was written in the hand Of an litter
ate person the following: .,:-s,. 49,
You think you is all safe hand YOU
bank his safe, but knows better bin
hinside the bank the last mite hand YOU
nose muffin about 1t. But / am mott a
theaf so hit yer will NETT NEE In the
great sQuar room, with all the noneiys
at twelf mite, lie explain orl to you, let
only thor cum down. and say muffin to
nobody. ..~
The directors turned the note over
to the police. gave orders that the
strong room should be guarded and
thought no more Of the matter.
Nothing unusual happened In the
bank that night, and the next day the
note would have been forgotten had it
not been for remarkable circum-
stance. A chest Of paper and securi-
ties taken from the strong room was
received at the bank with another note
from their mysterious correspondent
complaining that the directors had set
the police upon the writer and that
he had not. therefore, kept his appoint
ment. but he had sent the chest Of pa
pers he had taken from the strong
room. The note further said that If q
few Of the directors should be in the
strong room at midnight he would join
them there
Meanwhile Clarence Meldron sat at
his desk IN the bank, doing his duties
with his accustomed regularity. He
heard the note that he had sent the
directors discussed in low tone by
two custodians and knew that guard
was posted at the strong room. The
only matter that occupied him out
side his duties was a letter he wrote
to his sweetheart imploring her not to
consent to Il wedding with her 6ancee
until she could put it OF no longer.
adding that something might turn up
for him. His sweetheart replied that
she would do what he wished.
But on the arrival of the chest of
papers and securities from the strong
room Meldron saw evidence Of COM
motion. A search of the strong room
was made. Meldron had drawn
heavy chest over the crack through
which he had fallen. and 1t was not
found. After the discussion the direct
ors decided to meet this man. spirit
or devil. in the strong room in .ac-
cordance with his appointment. -.
So that night secret police were call
ed in to be ready to make any arrest
that might be required. and armed
guards Of the bank were concealed be-
hind treasure boxes in the strong
room. Just before midnight three di-
rectors who we're selected to meet the
man in the strong room assembled at
the bank and entered what was to be
the meeting room. All braced them
selves not to show fear. Nevertheless
one of them was pale and the other
two trembling.
When a deep toned bell without
struck twelve voice called from what
point they could not tell:
put out the lights!'
After some deliberation this was
done, and after the party had stood a
few moments in darkness bright rays
from dark lantern at the other end
of the room dazzled them. Then they
heard the cry:
Light up!'
The lights were turned on. and there
before them stood their clerk, Clarence
Meldron. He waited for them to
speak.
Explain this!" said one of the d.
rectors.
Meldron told them Of his first visit
to the strong room, Of his sliding into
the sewer, of his subsequent trip in the
sewer and of his meeting there. Then
he took them to the opening. 4;
They looked at one another in: blank
amazement, thinking of the responsible
ity they had incurred in the fact that
there was an entrance from the out
side to their treasure room. !
But why have you taken this
strange method of informing us of this
openings" asked director.
ITO impress upon you the fact that
your treasure was exposed l could
have made myself one of the richest
men In the world by secretly and
slowly taking away treasure that
might not have been missed in weeks.
perhaps months. If l had simply
called you in here and shown you this