The Press., 1916-12-21

Danu uau SUue NWas. dtu Suc Sttiu Suc felt sure of the pcrson. got nothing out of her. but was impressed with the belief that there was a good deal In her, whether for good or for evil. though did not feel that it was for evil. After dinner I escorted her to her home and left her at the door, at the same time receiving an invitation to call upon her.
 Despite all my efforts found noth- ing to duplicate Mrs. Pixley, and there was no evidence at the bank to prove shat she was purloining its funds, though the president had nnr Carter on the watch for this. After time Carter said that, whatever was her way of taking money, 1t was so sub tie that it was beyond his penetration. However, the cash on hand was con- stantly deficient, and Carter suggest ed that Mrs. Pixley be simply dis- charged without any reason being giv- en her. The president communicated this to me, and suggested that he put the matter of. I had become con- vinced that Mrs. Pixley had a secret. was steadily gaining her confidence, and l hoped in time she would let out something. To this he assented.
 A couple of days after this l re- ceived note from Mrs. Pixley, as fol lows:
 wrong track in shadowing me. Conceal yourself under the steps leading up to the bank tomorrow night Cor, rather, the next morning) at 1 o'clock and wait till come M.D.3P. 5 cannot tell why, but was, not so much astonished at this as might be expected. was certainly rejoiced, be cause l knew important developments were to come. At the appointed time I went to the bank and waited in the shadow of the steps. Ten minutes later Mrs. Pixley went up the steps. joined her. She tapped at the door, and it was opened by the watch We went in behind the counters. Mrs. Pixley opened safe. took out some heavy account book. which laid on a high desk for her.
 How Is 1t that you can come here at such a time and open this safe?'' asked her. "
 'The watchman is in my secret. am allowed the combination of this safe, which contains only books
 And here began the revelation. am something of an accountant, this being one reason why was put on the job., Mrs. Pixley spent two hours with me over set of books, showing me that Carter had manipulated them to conceal certain peculations. And the entries bearing upon them were so dovetailed into certain entries in a set of books that had been kept by her husband as to make 1t appear that Pixley was the tlefaulter. And I could not see how Pixley could have shown that he was innocent in the matter. looked aside Ut Mrs. Pixley and asked:
 How about the woman with whom
 our husband decamped?' H...z
 "I was the yelled woman who went with him to collect the money owed him. but didn't go away with him. One day he discovered how Mir. Carter, to conceal his peculations, had manipu- lated these books. He came home so broken down that I. fearing he would make d poor showing under an inves- tigation, conceded this plan whereby. 1 might have an opportunity to study out the problem for him. The watch man. Callahan. has always been my husbands friend and at the risk of losing his job has admitted me here at dead of night. I have had an expert accountant with me at times, and to- gether we have unraveled this conspir.; acy and can make showing such as, l. have given you s- If bookkee sing?''
 ''I studied it after my husband left. The person you sent to find out about that caught me unawares. But at the time l did not know she came from you.'' '-
 Mrs. Pixley," said admiringly. tak- ng from under my coat my badge of office and handing 1t to her, II re- sign in your favor. If am worth .$1O l day as detective you are worth hundred.'
 AS We left the bank I handed a twenty dollar bill to Callahan, but he declined to accept it. The next morn ing ! called on the banks president md was obliged to confess that my work had been done by the woman he had sent me to watch. Carter's books were examined without his knowledge Pixley was summoned home by his wife and put in Carter's place. Mrs. Pixley was given five. shares of the :tock of the bank. worth $S.500. and. Ter husband iS as chiprer as before he was luguhriouS. .
 No. sir. don't believe that q woman is any more liable to divulge secret than man. especially when it be comes her interest to keep it: At any rate. such is my experience. & ss@o-R