Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-09-27
The Coralbank Case.
By MATTHEW JAMES


Pardon me-" he said quickly, "bu'
did l understand you to say that you
drew these notes from the bank with
those that are missing?"
Silas Jay nodded.
I'm that case," said the detective en-
phatically, Il must ask you to allow
me to examine these notes. A grea,
deal my depend on my doing So"
Silas Jay reluctantly drew them from
their hiding place and handed them to
the detective The latter turned them
over one by one, his fingers lingering
long over the task. Then, with a half
suppressed sigh, he handed them back
to their owner, and watched that gen.
tleman as he once more replaced them
in the secret compartment Of the Sec
retaire, and heard the sharp metallic
click of the spring as it flew into posi-
ton.
When this was done he asked to be
allowed to see the servants, and one by
one they were called into the library
He said but little to them, however,
chiefly impressed upon them the neces-
sity for silence on the subject of the
robbery, and dismissed them once
more to their respective duties. Then
he turned to Mr.. Jay.
Now" he said briskly, II think
may confide to you the fact that my
Investigations so far have not been
without their reward. Tomorrow
morning shall return and shall prob
ably require to again examine-and, If
necessary, photographer parcel of
notes still in your possession. will
endeavor to be here by II o'clock.
will now bid you good-day, as there
are several things that need to be done
in the meantime"
At half-past ten Of the following
morning there was a loud pealing of
the front door bell, and few minutes
later a servant announced that two
police constables in uniform requested
to see Mr.. Jay on a matter Of consider
able Importance. They were shown
into the library, and awkwardly touch
ed their helmets to the master Of the
house. They were typical country po-
licemen-thick set, stolid looking In
dividuals, who might certainly form
part of the arm of the law, but pos
sessed no iota of it's brains.
Are you Mr.. Silas Jay?" inquired
one, in a slow, expressionless voice.
Mr.. Jay admitted that such was the
case.
Well" explained the constable,
we're in search Of feller who's
wanted up in Brummagem for little
Job O. 'ousebreakin'. From information
received" he coughed to emphasize
the professional phrase, we know he's
in this districk, and we are Uniformed
that a man answerin' to his descrip-
ton was seen acomin' into your 'ouse
yesterday afternoon"
Silas Jay turned pale as a horrible
suspicion crossed his mind. With a
quick movement he pressed the secret
spring Of his secretaire, and a sigh OF
unutterable relief escaped his lips as
he beheld the precious bank notes lying
safely within their ingenious hiding
place. Then, closing the compartment,
he turned abruptly to the constables,
who were watching him in evident GU
riosity, and said:
He promised to be here at II this
morning and it barely wants a quarter
to that now"
Instantly the men were on their feet
81 wonder If he'll come" said one.
IF he does" replied the other
we've got i'm, and then we're safe for
a stripe or two"
simultaneously they moved to the
window and stood looking down the
gravel paths that skirted the lawn and
across the tall gates that led to the
road. AS for Silas Jay, he was tou
bewildered even to think coherentlv
and sat, with his chin resting on his
hands, staring straight before him. An
exclamation from one of the constablss
reused him.
Here e isl" exclaimed the man.
Mr.. Jay leaped to his feet and ran to
the window. At the same instant q
man who had just turned in at the
gate came to a sudden standstill and
glanced irresolutely in the direction OF
the house
You Internal fools!" exclaimed Mr.
Jay, with all his old disgust for the
police returning in full force. "The fel-
low has seen your confounded uniforms
through the window and has taken the
alarm"
It certainly looked as If this was ac.
tually the case, for at that instant the
man turned and swiftly retreatet
through the gates and out on to the
road, where he was Immediately lost tt
view behind the tall hedge which shu
in the lawn. With a smothered oath
Silas Jay threw up the window, and
climbing out as quickly as his agt
would allow, started in hot pursuit. Or
of the constables followed his examp.e
and, being a younger man, soon out
stripped Mr.. Jay.
When the latter reached the gate ant
looked down the road he behe!d the bo
gus detective, speeding along through
cloud of dust, mounted on a bicycle
The constable had already mounted
similar machine, and was some f1ft!
yards from the gate. He was getting VI
a good pace and, upon seeing Mr.. Jay
waved his hand in token Of his deter
mination to catch the now rapidly dis
appearing thief. When Mr.. Jay return
ed to the house he found that the othe
policeman had taken himself off.
The next day he was so restless tha
he could bear the house no longer, s.
he determined, as there was nothing t
hinder him from doing so. to take tn
| hundred $500 notes into Windsor ant
there deposit them in one of the loca
| banks. He touched the concealed sprini
of his secretaire, and the secret com
partment flew noiselessly open. AM
then, with wild cry, he staggere'
| back against the wall and fell in
heap upon the floor. The bank note