The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-29
SIMPSON, DETECTIVE
BY MAURICE VOlTMAR REED.
by w. G. Chapman.)


Pettigrew Simpson had "a case"
1t appeared that twice within month
the Planters National bank had lost |
a package of bank notes. In both in
stances they were small parcels. Each
had contained ten one thousand dol |
lar bills.
The packages had mysteriously dis
appeared from the currency pen.
There we're only two persons behind
its secure grating. One was the son
Of the president of the institution,
Learning banking" and, as he was
independently rich personally from his
mothers estate, there was no reason
to suspect him. His assistant was a
Miss Elfrida Burrows, dainty. pretty,
for five years trusted employee OF
the bank.
Simpson, detective, had Swallowed
the young man for a week. His hab-
its were beyond criticism. As to Miss
Burrows, she lived plainly, dressed
modestly, and about all that Simpson
learned concerning her was that she
was engaged to the credit manager
| of the bank, Roy Desbrough.
Now a new and brilliant idea had
come to Simpson. which he had just
impaired to the bank president. En-
tirely surrounding the sides of the
lofty bank room was an ornamental
grill to shut OF the barren unfinished
space just under the roof. The plan
Of the sleuth was to locate himself
there with a pair Of opera glasses, and
select anyone Of hundred interstices
in the grill work to secure a complete
unsuspected view Of every worker in
the bank.
It was at the noon hour that the
giant discovery was made. Ever and
always Simpson had kept his gaze
fixed upon the currency pen, for was
it not to that section Of the bank that
the missing money belonged?
What he saw was Roy Desbrough
pass from his desk and go by the in
ner end Of the enclosure on his way
to lunch. As he did this he decreased
his gait. As he reached a little slot
in the high wire netting through
which was taken and given out notes
and other documents, the detective
saw Miss Burrows cast furtive, hur
ried glance all about her Then she
drew an envelope from her pocket
She shot it through the slot with the
precipitation and manner of guilt,
person. In a fash young Desbrougf
seized it, thrust 1t into his own pocket
passed on.
This was like saying, Get up" t
horse. Simpson got up. He scram
bled across the rafters. He nearl.
fell down the stairs leaving the darl
and dreary loft. He got to the stree
t in time to overtake Desbrough.
II Simpson followed the young BAN
l. man into a restaurant, Swallowed hir
a thence to the street. Then at cor
.. venient doorway he deftly edged hir
n . of the pavement
ii "Hello!" hailed Roy. whats tn
idea of so much roughness?"
=. want to see you," was the bris
~ response. "See?"
S, Roy did sea coat lapel thru'
j. back, a seven-pointed silver bade
a flashed into view.
to Detective, eh?" smiled Roy. quie
rs ly. where's my INTEREST,""
q, Letter in your pocket-rigl
10 there" and Simpson smartly tape
the spot where he knew the lett
~ from the pretty currency pen repose
IS Treasure"
ie All, a treasure, indeed, was Il
writer Of that missive! Roy's ey
in glowed at the thought. Then he wo
n dered what this bold stranger had
IS. do about it.
ly Save time, trouble, giving 1t VI
Nv announced Simpson.
~ Then Roy laughed. Then he to-
y. out the missive in question. remov
~ its Enclosure, read its contents a
en- handed the sheet to Simpson.
ny Dear Roy" it read, uncle
lite cross. so you had better defer call
Ter til Thursday. ELFRlDA.'
cir "U.um!" muttered Simpson
ice tones of mingled disappointment a
ill chagrin. False trail. Wrong clu
II guess So" nodded Roy, III you
trying to connect that estima
young lady with the disappearance
those money packages"
Pettigrew Simpson felt persuat
that his usefulness in the present CT
was at an end. He allowed Roy
(, depart without further question.
and went back to the bank, but not to
lex. former covert.
Simpson went the rounds OF
; place, studying the faces Of the vari
workers. No intuition" came to
" however, that might start him on
lore trail Of the guilty criminal Thou
Inc fully, somewhat mournfully, he nea
are the currency pen. Simpson felt
the tie ashamed Of himself as he vie
will the charming Miss Burrows at G.
hen range.
mt "The owner Of that sweet
Rod could never engage in theft" he
:, - himself "Hello!"
With a startling scream the yo
my lady had jumped upon stool.
an "Why, what has happened"
nor claimed her companion in the cage
my "A mouse!" faltered Miss Burr
ms. pale and frustrated. "Oh, dear!"
;. by she shivered as she gathered the 81
rhile closely about her shapely feet.
be- Then there was quest for thu
truder, and then Pettigrew Simr
r oye the great detective, sneaked ava!
80 For in a little vacant space u