The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-10-26

AS he spoke he turned toward the
wall desk at which he had been sit
ting. II was Uttered with papers OF
various sorts, including an envelope
that contained 100000 worth OF
bonds.
With one careless sweep OF his
hands Hugh jumbled tho mass of pa,
pers together 30 that he could bundle
them into the safe.
The bond envelope was at the rear
OF the desk. where Hugh had tossed
it, after jotting down the numbers.
And now, the sudden jostling Of
the other papers against Il, sent the
envelope sliding to tho floor and hid
den from sight by the blackboard Of
the desk.
Hugh did not notice its fall.
Meantime, in TurnbulTs private Of
fee, Henry Scott and his employer
had reached a decision on the bust
ness question they were discussing.
III II comes to q question OF further
collateral In the Bogardus loan"
Henry said, as he was leaving the
room, Hopkins says We can put up
that block OF bonds no deposited with
us. The face value is $4,000; and
they mature-they mature in for
got the date. But Hugh will know. l
left them with him an hour ago"
He stepped to tho door OF the outer
ONCE and then reported:
nIIn-h l.-is 49, -
at lunch. But. for once, he's put all
his papers back In tho safe. He"
III he has" growled Turnbull, its
the first time on record. He must be
Ill. Just take q look through tho safe,
will you, and find the date when those
Hopkins bonds nature"
Henry crossed to the safe and
opened It.
Patiently he sought to put the pa
pers to rights, at the same time
searching for the bond envelope.
The envelope was not there.
His brow ~clouding, Henry went back
to the private Office.
THE Hopkins bonds" he said, hest
tatingly, are missing"
Missing" roared Turnbull, leaping
to his feet. Missing? Seventy-six
thousand dollars worth OF negotiable
securities missing' And Hugh Scott
10 missing at the same time"
mol" denied Henry, fercely.
You're wrong, sir. Ny brother"
Your brother 10 lazy, pl~easure-lov-
In axtrar ~ -a H. -- -
salary, as / happen to know, and he
Is In debt. His creditors are bother
Ing him. And this morning / threat
ened to discharge him. He raj In a
tight corner. And he vanished. The
Hopkins bonds vanished, too. What is
the answer"
II don't believe IT," declared Henry.
Il won't believe IT,"
Turnbull wheeled about and caught
up tho telephone. Before Henry Scott
could stop him, Turnbull had called
up police headquarters and was toll
ing his story to the desk lieutenant.
There" said the older man, at last,
as he set down the instrument. That's
settled. The police are going to send
out a general alarm at once"
Mr.. Turnbull!" broke In Henry, his
face white, his Jaw set. Il believe you
are doing my brother q terrible injus-
tice. / grant you that no ia weak and
foolish and rash. but he has never
been dishonest"
Never that va know o." countered
Turnbull. And there must be q first
time to everything. even to theft"
Hugh has always been little
brother to me-" said Henry. wretch
eddy. ever since mother left him in
my care when she died. He was q
baby then, and I was . schoolboy.
make up to him for the loss Of our
parents. But lately. perhaps. I've neg
iected him for my work. I'm as much
to blame as he. / should have watched
him moro closely. +"
NONSENSE" returned Tunbull.
You've stood between him and Tou-
BILE q million times; but this time you
can't"
Perhaps I can" was the steady an
swer, a. IN odd light came into the
brothers sorrowful eyes.
You can't" contradicted Turnbull.
You are mistaken" said Henry.
There In ono thing l can do. And II
necessary l shall do It. You handed
those bonds I me. I handed them
to Hugh. At least, I just said I did.
II worst comes to worst. I'll tell tho
police It was not Hugh. but !. who
stole them"
No a would believe such an
idiotic story"
you must give me your word not
to prosecute" persisted Henry. mot
only for your own sake, but Tor the
sake OF our father who was your
friend"
Turnbull threw up both hands In
sulky surrender.
"Havo it your WI wayi" ho snapped.
Il promise. But you'll let nae scare
him q little first for his own good"
Yes" said Henry regretfully. after
. brief pause.
Duo thins nAsA- persisted Henry.