The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-21
along to help me or not7.

have to. You need a guardian angel"
So it happened that at critical time
in the fortunes of the bank and its Off
GERS John and Haig set out on their
mission. They chose an hour early in
the evening, after supper. They tried
the bank first. 1t would be closed, but
within, as all New Chelsea knew, War
rem Blake was apt to be found faith
fully at the work that never seemed
to end.
The dark green window shades had
been closely pulled down, but a glim-
mering around the edges showed that a
light was burning within. Blake might
have been expecting them. so promptly
was the door thrown open when they
raped. Surprise. however, was de-
picted on his face when he beheld the
visitors.
"Good evening, gentlemen. Can do
something for your
WED like to have little talk with
you, Warren" said John. 1T concerns
the bank"
"The bank?"
Suddenly Warren by some strange in
tuition knew, as he had known that the
market would sag, what this untimely
visit portended. He felt the blood
leave his face and rush to his heart
His hands and feet became icy cold
He stared stupidity at the visitors. as
though his faculties were benumbed.
"I-Im pretty busy tonight" he said.
Cant you put it off until Monday?'
81 think we'd better talk it over now,
Warren" John answered.
The sense of shock seemed to pass
away. The cashier threw the door
wider open to admit them. Come in,"
he said quietly. They entered, and he
closed and locked the door behind them.
Then he Strengthened up, all composure,
to face them.
''1'll have to ask you to be brief. I'm
preparing some papers for Senator Muir
chell and Mr.. Hampden, and they'll be
here soon."
"Tll come right to the point" John
answered. warren, | want to see
the books of the bank. I've heard that
you are carrying a good deal of worth
less political paper and that the bank
is in danger. l want to verify or dis
prove that
"That's absurd. The bank is per-
fectly safe. And, Of course, we can't
let you see the books. You aren't
even a stockholder and have no in
terest in them
warren" said Haig hastily, putting
his hand on the cashiers shoulder, Il
beg you to do as he asks. We're here
in a wholly friendly way And. of
course, the bank is sound. You can
rely on Dunmeade and me to do abso-
lutely nothing, in that case, to harm it."
Warren shook his head. "You ought
to know that it is out of the question"
"Then," said John regretfully, "I'll
have to subpoena you to appear with
the books before the grand jury on
Monday" He drew forth two docu-
ments, one of which he gave to Blake
81 suggest that you wait and explain
your errand to Murchell and Hamp-
den. They will be here soon. Just
take chairs in the cage. While we're
waiting I'll finish my work" said
Blake.
He ushered them into the cage.
found chairs, offered cigars and, po-
litely eXcusing himself, retired into
the cashiers Office and settled himself
at the desk. For few minutes he
worked, with a speed that was not
nervous haste, transcribing figures
from the book before him and adding
up columns. Then he wrote a few
lines and carefully blotted them.
This done, he seemed to have come
to the end of his work. But he did
not return to John and Haig. He
seemed to have lost consciousness of
their proximity. The pen fell from
his fingers. His folded hands rested
passively on the desk. He sat motion
less. staring straight ahead into moth
ingness. Under the gaslight his face
showed very white. A heavy, uncanny
silence descended upon the three men.
There came a rap at the door.
AS though he had been waiting for
Just that, Warren rose, went to the
loor and admitted the new visitors.
They were Hampden and Murchell.
Hampden was the first to notice the
presence of John and Haig.
"What are they doing here?" he de-
manded suspiciously.
"Come back into the office and Wen
explain" Warren answered. "You
come, too" he nodded to the men with
In the cage.
The five men gathered in the little
sfice. No one sat down or offered to
shake hands. Warren broke the silenc
calmly.
"Dunmeade wants to examine tn,
J books"
=. "Well, he can't do it," Hampden sal,
quickly.
80 l told him." Warren continued
"And he followed the request up b.
serving me with a subpoena to appea
with the books before the grand jury