Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-03-17

am very busy man. with large re-
sponsihilitie>. and as this conyersa-
ton is entirely NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., |
ray-I must regret to fully inform you
that | must continue on my days
work." He nodded toward the tray of
currency. believe me, am perfectly
willing to do what any citizen should
do to help apprehend criminal, but |
must ask YOU
"Oh. hi. Valentine, do you think
I've lost my eyesight? You're Jimmy
Valentine. and that was Bill Avery
who called on you. guessed he knew
where you were and had him watched.
and the first trip he made followed
him. Now, cut it out and declare
Yourself Do you come, or do | get
requisition papers and take you?" His
manner Dacaue as threatening as his
words.
You will do neither. and you will
desist from insinuating that am a
criminal or | will cause the Waterman
to eject you FROM the bank. Further.
l do not know that you are detec-
tive. Your actions are those Of a
blackmai.er-or'-
A clerk entered.
Did you ring, sir?"
Eyes. Kindly remove that curren-
cy," cried Valentine, eying Doyle. $50
many suspicious characters about in
these hard times that one must always
be careful of strange visitors. partic-
ularly in banking office"
The clerk cast an apprehensive
glance at Doyle, whose face had
turned red with rage. and. Selling the
tray. hurried toward the vault room
with it.
'"Take it out. take it out" command
cd Valentine. waving bis hand. Il
shall take no chances. Now. Mr.. Doyle,
either show credentials to prove what
you are or | shall telephone the po-
lice"
Doyle. amazed at the effrontery and
daring assurance of Jimmy Valentine,
fell back against the wall, his legs
threatening to give way beneath his
heavy body.
"In the name of Dan the Dip" he
exclaimed halplessly, eff The crooks
were all as slick as you, Jimmy, the
jails would all be empty. You don't
dare do it."
Jimmy Valentine picked up the tele-
phone and. getting the central of the
banks exchange, ordered in no uncer-
tain tones:
"Get me police headquarters at
once"
Doyle was further astounded by the
readiness with which the battling
young man before him had accepted
his challenge to call the police. Was
it possible, after all, that he had been
mistaken? No. 1t was Jimmy Valen-
tine who stood before him, the same
Jimmy that was wanted by the Mas
sachusetts authorities for that old and
almost forgotten JOB" in the savings
bank of Springfield. Mass.-$l4,000
in currency taken on a Washington's
birthday night and not a mark of an
instrument or of an explosive on the
safe when next morning the doors
were found yawning open, the night
Waterman gagged and bound help
lessly to the metal legs of stationary
washstand in the vice presidents Of
fee.
Here, cut that OUT" he cried. lung
ing forward at Valentine. awaiting a
response to his call. Don't bring any
of these locals in on a big job like
this" He thrust back his coat and.
opening his vest, revealed shining
shield fastened on one Of his suspend
er straps. Valentine bent over and in
spected it very deliberately and very
closely. He turned to the telephone
and instructed central to countermand
his call-aIl mistake. The two men
seated themselves. Doyle drawing a
chair close to the assistant cashiers
desk.
every well. sir. Now if you can
see fit to refrain from your embarrass-
ing questions and innuendoeS | am
sure we may arrive at something"
"Of course you know you will have
to prove that you are not Jimmy Val
entine"
Pardon me. Mr. Doyle, if set you
right on a point Of law" smiled Val
entine. You will have to prove that
l am your friend, Jimmy Valentine"
But you won't make me-" laughing
confidently. .
mo. To expedite matters 1 will
convince you that am not"
please do, Jimmy
very we'll. Tell me how may
prove it."
every simply. I said goodby to you
in a hotel one afternoon in Albany
three years ago. You were fresh from
Sing Sing prison"
Am I to understand that l was In
prison, q prisoner"
"'Doing a Bit yes"
"But l couldn't have been. l couldn't
have been in two places at the same
time"
mo, not easily. and as Sing Sing
doesn't allow its boarders to go visiting
guess you were there. Now. think
hard and try to remember" advised
the detective.
"Mr. Doyle, there can be no chance
of any dacantion in so omen and shut