The Home news., 1916-04-14
A FLAW IN THE PLAN
By G. F. FERRIS.

The decision to steal came to Davis as the result of months of reflection It could not be said to be the result of impulse. There was not the slight est attenuation. Calmly and method ically Davis made up his mind to take the five or six thousand dollars worth of bills which would pass through his hands on the following Saturday.
 The money was taken out of the bank on Saturday morning and placed in the safe. During the morning Da- wis and Harvey, the cashier, made out the envelopes. Harvey handed Davis the bills to place in each envelope. Harvey was short-sighted, and there was card index box between them. Nothing would be easier than for Da- wis to place the empty envelope in the safe and slip the bills into his pock- cts. The salaries would be paid be- tween four and five. Davis theft would remain undetected from one, when he went out to lunch, till four
 Davis was not bad man, but his mind was warped. He believed him. self to be the victim of social in justice. He had laid his plans with the utmost assurance At one he would leave the office, at 2:30 he would sail on board the Boadicea for Blu enos Aires. With the last penny of his savings he had engaged a passage for England on board the Laodicea, which left at three. He had fingered just long enough in the steamship of flee, and asked just enough questions to impress his identity upon the clerk, and raise lingering interest which might, under circumstances, become an active suspicion.
 Davis was twenty-nine, and he had been with the corporation seven years, waiting patiently for his chance. Cohen, the present manager, had told Davis in strict confidence that he was leaving; he had had better offer.
 Say, Davis, know why old Krebs turned you down before?" he asked. Spruce up old man. Don't be a slov- en. Get a f1fty-dollar suit and tickle the old mans pride. And, say! Ever notice that your cuffs are frayed? Tickle the old man, make him think he's paying you fine wages, if you want to get on his right side"
 Davis repulsed Cohens condolences. He was too bitter just then to think of f1attering Krebs. Besides, he had al- ready begun to formulate his scheme.
 He bought the new suit, however That was part of the game. They chaffed him on his spruce appearance at the office on the Saturday morning. but Davis said nothing. He hung up his coat, put on the old office one, and set to work.
 He was in high good-humor, and pos sessed by a sort of reckless audacity which made the carrying out of the plan easy. He almost laughed as he adrOitly slipped the bills into his pockets under Harvey's very eyes, and placed the empty envelopes in the safe. By noon, when the cashier went out to his lunch, he had amassed near ly five thousand dollars.
 He waited till Harvey returned; then he went out of the cage into the presidents room.
 Il am thinking of leaving you short ly, MT. Krebs,' said Davis.
 "All right" said Krebs.
 Davis was taken aback.. Krebs had scored there. Davis stood looking at him uneasily.
 T wish l could stay, sir," he con- tinued, but I have the offer of a po- sition in Cuba, to manage an estate, and it is too good to refuse"
 H~0hc cooroad %a xryo1~o 4r.~I