The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-03-09

anu HONEST. III ihSl, uh'o NV A&oAs
to find save that the office has no sys-
tenn whatever, and can never find
anything when want It. Got thatYS
Eyes, sir" smithers replied dazedly.
"Now, sir, you admit you are wear
| ing a plaster. How do l know that
those securities are not concealed
within your plaster, huh?" Mr.. Ord
looked from his astonished clerk to
the red bound volumes of Sherlock
Holmes adventures and patted his
chest knowingly. How do l know.
sir2" he repeated.
REALLY, couldn't say. Mr.. Ord" be-
gan Smithers, and then, as II the real
meaning of his employers insinuatlon
had pierced some sensitive spot at last
he added forcibly, But | wouldn't do
such a thing, you know, Mr. Ord. beg.
ging your pardon"
"You wouldn't. eh? How do you
know you Wouldn't"
81 couldn't, SIR" protested Smithers
/ warmly. you see the plaster I'm
wearing is bunion plaster, and ]
couldn't get the securities"
Mr. Ord raised a fat forefnger. Il
didn't ask you for details regarding
your personal ailments, Mr. Smithe.s,"
he said icily. There was silence for a
few moments while his little eyes
! roamed from his three foot shelf OF
wisdom to Smlthers' now agitated
countenance. He pulled the ticker
tape toward him and studied the fig-
ures as they slipped through his fin
gers. He had made rather a fool OF
himself and the L. d. bonds were as
far from discovery as ever. Once more
he turned to his clerk
Ibid you mention to anybody that
those bonds were In tn aultF'
Not a soul knew of their presence
there except yourself and me, SIR"
Ibid you check over all the other
securities in my box"
Eyes, sir, and every other security In
the vault" returned Smithers earnest
ly. Begging your pardon. Mr. Ord.
you might recollect that in every other
| instance of loss of papers, they were
afterward found to have been mislaid
either by Mr.. Carson or yourself"
Enough said Ord sternly. II have
no such recollection, young man!
/ Now" pointing an accusing finger in
the face of his uncomfortable clerk,
he continued with measured accents,
those bonds bore date stamp i'm
pressed with purple ink. How did
purple ink come to be on your hands
and face. Mr.. Smithers" Mr.. Ord shot
a glance at his bookshelf and then his
eyes came back to the face Of his
clerk.
For the first time Smithers' face
wrinkled into faint smile. II was as
sisting Miss Fem to adjust new rib
bon In her type machine he said
primly. Before had time to remove
these stains you called me-"
rs it one Of the duties of my chief
clerk to assist the stenographers with
such duties?" thundered Mr.. Ord fierce.
ly. what do | hire office boys for.
eh?"
In Mr.. Smithers' opinion Office boys
were hired to loaf around the corri-
doris and discuss baseball topics. He
merely cracked another deprecating
smile and did not answer the ques-
ton.
Huh! I don't approve Of counting
in the office, Mr. SmitherS," remarked
Mr.. Ord, his critical eye still on his
employees pink face. He pressed a
button beside his desk, and the door
opened promptly, admitting tall, slen-
der girl whose black hair was twisted
in the latest fashion and whose bright
brown eyes seemed to take In every
detail of the situation In one swift
penetrating glance. Her gaze swept
her employers desk and then came to
attention at Mr.. Ord's curt accents.
"Sit down, Miss Fem"
She did so. tapping open a notebook
and poising her pencil.
81 don't wish to dictate. Have you
seen or heard anything Of the L. d.
bonds since they were put In the
vaults day before yesterday"
Miss Fem nodded. "Why, yes. Mr..
Ord Don't you remember you sent
me to the vault for them this morning
after you talked with Mr.. Hughes over
the telephone? You were reading when
came back. and you used the bonds
as bookmark as you closed the book
to resume debating Why, there they
arep She picked up red covered
book from under his nose and removed
several beautifully engraved certi1-
Gates from between the pages of The
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"
There was a slckly smile of enlighten-
ment ON Mr.. Ord's face.
THANK you, Miss Fem; you may
go now" he said with an effort. When
the door had closed behind her trim
figure Mr.. Ord recovered his self pos
session. He picked his hat out Of the
basket, placed 1t on his head, compared
his watch with the clock. nodded APP
proval at the hour of IL and drew the
telephone receiver across the desk.
by the way, Smithers." Be said gen.
tally without turning his head. II
suppose II you're going to get married
you'll need little more money, ehr'
81 really couldn't say that I'd thought
about 1t, Mr. Ord" said the clerk
meekly.
well, Just tell the cashier to add
another hundred to your salary. I'll o.
X. II. Don't mention It'll Hey! Cen
trail Give me 1869 Livingston. Helloi
Hughes & Carraway7 All. Hughes;
about that L. d. Now