The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-06-06
A CLEW
BY ALLAN C. LAMOND
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

We We're working very hard at the
factory, few of us getting away be
/ fore midnight One evening went
to sleep at my work, and the foreman
/ told me N go home and to bed. 1t was
0 O'clock and there was little chance
Of the others getting away till IL,
| Going to the coat room, / took down
my overcoat, put 1t on and, thrusting
my hand into pocket for my gloves,
pulled out package done up in brown
paper, Unrolling it, | saw a thick
layer Of bank bills.
| looked about me and, seeing that
was alone in the room, rerolled the
package and put 1t back in my pocket.
Having taken this precaution In
stinctively, began to consider the sit.
uation. 1t was evident that mistake
had been made. But what mistake
Had the owner of the bills been mad
vertently using my coat and put his
money in my pocket, thinking it was
his own. or had he thrust them in
hurriedly as it hung on the hook?
Were they his own, or had he come by
them dishonestly7
Here new idea came TO me. He
might have stolen the bills and put
them temporarily where they would
not compromise him. If go he would
probably come for them.
Young as / was. recognized the i'm
portance Of the matter. might appro-
pirate the money to my own use. I
had no intention of doing so. A dread
came to me that IL the money had been
stolen and 1t were found In my pocket
I would have to go to state prison.
/ decided quickly what would do
and did Il at once. l carried the coat
into the counting room, where found
the treasurer Of the company, Mr..
Humber. and handed him the package.
He opened ii and his eyes at the same
time. counted the bills and quick as
fash said to me: Go hang your coat
where it hung before But stop mo-
ment The package filled with ordi-
nary paper must be IN 1t, There; that
viii do. Now carry the coat back,
hang 1t up and take position where
you will be hidden and watch and see
who takes the property. l don't wish
to have any one else in the secret at
present and rely upon you to be
watchful. These notes have been stol-
en- from this office, and it is Of the ut
most Importance that we discover the
thief"
/ ran back with the coat. put 1t on
its hook among number of others
and, ensconscing myself behind door
opening against corner OF the room.
stood ready for the spying. soon
tired Of standing and took seat on
the floor, there being just room enough
for me to sit.
An hour passed and, though several
persons came In for their coats. none
took mine. Then there was long In
terval. during which no one came. Be
fore that interval was broken / had
fallen asleep. Awaking with start,
l looked for my overcoat Running to
1t, | thrust my hand into the pocket
where the dummy had been put
1t was impossible for me to face Mr..
Humber that night Taking the over
coat with me, ! went home TO find my
mother and sister waiting for me.
They were both very much troubled |
at my appearance and greatly excited
when told them the story.
went to bed. but all desire to sleep |
had been driven out of me. | re-
manned awake till dawn, and my |
mother awakened me half an hour
later.
Get up, my son." she said. I'VE
have a clew to the thief"
/ sprang out Of bed, dressed and I
after swallowing cup Of coffee went
to the factory. When Mr. Humber
saw me he locked relieved
II thought you had failed me- he
said.
/ told him the story of my going to
sleep on watch. Then added:
my sister found clew in the peck
ct of the coat last night after l went
to bed. she will not trust me with it
after my carelessness last night, but
says she viii give 1t to any one you
may send for It."
'1'll go myself" be said. Come
show me the way"
led him to my home, and few
later Maggie came down with
/ bit of white folded paper In her
hand
Last night" she said te Mr.. Hum
Der, latter my brother had gone to
bed instinctively took up the coat
ind examined it thoroughly, thrusting
ny hand in every pocket successfully.
When from the right lower pocket,
where he tells me the package was
placed. i Withdrew my hand I. noticed