The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-18

what kind of game is this?' ne
asked coolly, "You can't shift this
thing onto me. Why, man. you know
better! You've been right here
you've tricked mel" cried Mr..
Babb. "The moneys in your pockets!
Let me see, out with them I'll
kill you!"
The paying teller had dashed him
self into shriekng rage. His pis-
toll hand-in fact. his whole body
was trembling with passion. Killum
ducked forward and grasped the in
furiitcd mans wrist. The bullet fiat
tened against the balcony railing and
dropped down just outside the cage
door. Decius Babb struggled feebly
for a moment and then collapsed.
Waterman Jerry Ryan was pulling
the hook of time clock in the base
ment when Mr.. Babb began his TRADE.
He rushed up flight Of marble stairs
in time to hear the final threat pre-
Ceding the pistol shot. He bolted to
the window of cage a and saw Arthur
Killum supporting the elder man into
n chair near the table desk. The pistol
lay on the marble thing behind him.
anybody hurt?" asked Ryan.
"No. think not" said KElum. mfr.
Extraordinarily fired his gun. I
was taking over his cash. you know.
It's twenty-four thousand short.
Things look bad to me. Jerry. Jump
to the telephone and get hold Of the
cashier If he isn't home try the
Union Club"
The Waterman hesitated and looked
questioningly at Mr.. Babb, who sat
huddled in his chair, a picture OF be-
wildered detection.
IAN right. Jerry; call Mr. Dee
whispered the paying teller. He was
still breathing hard, Presently he
arose feebly and opened the black
trunk.
Must be somewhere" he repeated.
II know it's here" He DULY fingered
over the straps Of paper money. num-
bling the amounts and occasionally
deferring to his abstract OF the days
work.
Mr.. Babb was thus engaged when
the cashier jumped out of a taxicab
in front Of the Mammoth Bank and
FASTENED to the gate for cage A. Mr..
Dee was 40 and aggressive. He was
short and clear headed.
What's the trouble here, Mr.. Kill
lumT' he asked crisply as the latter
opened the cage gate.
"Babb's cash is short-twenty-fou
thousand dollars. l was to take 1t
over tonight. you know
That seems incredible. What's
your story. Mr.. Babb?"
II don't know what to say, Mr.. Dee.
My cash was right at 3 o'clock. That
is. went over it twice--'by inventory.
OF course, didn't count the full
straps. But I remember distinctly a
strap Of large bills. Really. IL my
cash is short 1t simply can't be.
rechecked my figures, as usual. Per-
haps you'll run through the stun. Mr..
Dee. My eyes seem to be playing
tricks on me-"
Mr.. Dee's careful inventory verified
Killums figures. Decius Babb's cash
was s2i 900 short
The old gentleman appeared to be
crushed by the announcement. He
paced back and forth in the cage.
conducting frenzied and aimless
search. which would have been ridcu-
lous under other circumstances. He
lifted small inkstand and looked
underneath. He explored a litter of
papers in the one drawer of the table
desk. and soberly peered under Mr.,
Dee's hat.
MY cash was right at 3 o'clock"
he mumbled doggedly, glancing at
Kilum. The Utney Is here some
where. There were twenty-four bills.
I counted them twice"
The cashier locked the trunk and
took the key. Kllum dangled his legs
from the desk top. looking at the floor.
perhaps you would like to search
me. Mr.. Dee" he said 'ln fact I
would like to have you do so for my
own protection. | wish to prove that
the strap of bills which Mr.. Bahh
claims to have lost is not in my pos
session."
He removed his coat and vest and
passed them to the cashier. who, after
moments hesitation, proceeded tc
empty his pockets. They yielded a
cigar case. a fountain pen, pocket
book containing six one dollar bills
and a handful Of matches and small
Change-nothng else.
AS il to clear himself beyond sus
picion, Killum removed his other gar
ments down to knee drawers an'
socks. He even jokingly offered II
shed them.
Will Killum was dressing thu
cashier leaned over the black trunk
thinking deeply. lie was a warn
hearted man. And Decius Babb wa
an old and trusted teller. But dut!
demanded that he consider fact ant
exclude sentiment lie turned "A
length and told the paying teller a
kindly as he could:
I'm afraid must notify you
bondsman, Mr.. Babb. 1t is quite pos
sible that they will demand YOUR ar
rest. I'm sorry, Bahb-sorry an
puzzled. I can't fathom it. fo
couldn't have cashed a big check an
failed to record ii. 1t isn't reasonable
But the moneys gone. And we'll haN
special directors meeting to-morro
and the deuce of "A row.
They'll lombard you with fo
questions and-you're in bad. It
he a tough session. Better go hon
and try to get IA nights rest. Some
thing may turn up yet. l suppos
Perhaps it's in your figures SOM
where. Or you may have overpa
clearing"
Decius Babb tried to return Il
Al St,,ila