Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-03-23


might use the secret honestly 70 as
sist him TO a caVeer. He lay awake all
night thinking. but found no plan ex.
cept 10 make some excuse to go int
the strong room again and see II he
could find his way out through the
sewer.
A 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 a
living by searching the sewers He
piloted the clerk to an opening where
sgresS was easy. Mcldron marked the
spot SO that he would Know it again
One morning the banks directors re-
Ceived Il scrap Of dirty paper on which
was written in the hand of an Hitter
ate person the following:
You think you is all safe hand you
bank his safe. but | knows better l bin
hinside the bank the last ? mite hand you
nose muffin about it. But l am mott a
great sQuar room. with all the moneiys
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 raom 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 #
not been for a remarkable circum-
stance. \ chest OF paper and securl-
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 a
few Of the directors should be in the
strong room ut midnight he would join
them there.
Meanwhile Clarence Mcldron 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 a 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 Il letter he wrote
TO his sweetheart imploring her not to
consent TO Il wedding with her fiancee
until she could put 1t 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 Mcldron had drawn a
heavy chest over the crack through
which he had fallen. and It was not
found. After the discussion the direct
ors decided to meet this nan. spirit
or devil, in the strong room in &c
cordance with his appointment.
So that night secret police were call
ed in to be ready TO make any arres,
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 were selected TO meet The
man in the strong room assembled n
the bank and entered what was TO %,
the meeting room. All braced them
selves not to show fear Nevertheless.
one of therl was pale and the othe
, two trembling.
When deep toned bell withou
, struck twelve n voice called from wha
point they could not tell:
, Put out the lightsr'
! After some elaboration this wa
D done, and after the party had stood
1 few moments in darkness bright ray
: from a dark lantern at the other en-
Of the room dazzled them. Then the
a heard the cry:
t Light upr
d The lights were turned on, and ther
d before them stood their clerk, Clarenc
r, Meldron. He waited for them {
speak.
e Explain this" said one Of the d
It rectors.
J. Meldron told them OF his first Wis
a to the strong room. Of his sliding int
n the sewer, of his subsequent trip in Il
le sewer and of his meeting there. Tue
Re he took them to the opening.
er They looked at one another in blar
y amaZement, thinking of the res9onsib
D. ity they had incurred in the fact III
there was an entrance from the OF
Ell side to their treasure room.
re But why have YOU taken lib
Il strange method of informing rs of I'll
lie opening?" asked a director.
IN "To innrcss uno,, Won tho fact ~,