The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-11-08
hand was placed abruptly upon my

hand was placed abruptly upon my
shoulder.
Out of the gloom of a doorway be-
hind me stepped Marvel. He was dis
guised in part, but | knew him in a
flash. If l doubted-so many strange
events were transpiring was reas-
sured as he spoke.
Capable man." were his applaud
ing words. Tell me about it."
l briefly detailed the course of
events that had brought me up to the
present point in my rather blind prog
ress.
Never that, though commented
my friend rather sharply, as l spoke
of calling in local police aid. "Remem-
Der, my province is rather to suppress
than punish. The man so confidingly
placed in the bank yonder is Rex Ma
ginn"
THE Human Spool?"
There is only one He has done
we'll l nearly missed the trail, and it
was veritable needle in haystack
for a while. The president of the bank
here and the man with the white
beard are one and the same. Why he
thought best to visit the city under
an assumed guise have not yet faith
omed, but l judge it was that he
wished no inkling of his absence or
mission to reach friends. He entered
his city hotel, gray hair and all. He
left it secretly by side entrance de-
nuded of all disguise. He was gone
and l was at sea. Then | went
straight to the state prison. The first
thing l found out was that he had real
ly visited prisoner there. 1t was
1ckes. The next thing 1 discovered
was that Ickes was serving a term for
embezzling from this same City Ma
tional Bank of Springfield. l learned
more there, and l came on here to
watch, wait and have an interview
with this Daniel Morgan. We will
finish that end of the proposition
now"
The bank president looked up from
his writing as Marvel and myself
were ushered into the library of his
residence. He started slightly as
Marvel placed his hand over his face
and those strong features of his IN
derwent a subtle change. Then as my
friend placed one of his cards before
the banker, a deep frown crossed his
brow. For only an instant he seemed
swiftly to reflect. He gave the bit of
ri n 10 MI ir,fn
the waste basket at his side He spoke
one word, looking Marvel squarely in
the face.
Nonsense" he said, simply, but
forcibly.
You doubt the authenticity of my
credentials, I see" submitted Marvel
Let me warn you, I will suffer no
travesty or scheme to intrude upon
me-" warned Morgan in a strident
tone.
Resilius Marvel leisurely turned
away. His swift eyes swept over
the well-filled book shelves. He cool
ly walked to the nearest case, swung
open its door, took out an ele-
gantly bound volume and brought it
to the desk. The banker had no op-
portunity to resent or resist the ac-
ton before my friend had opened the
book, thumbed over a few pages and
turned to the view of his unwilling
host full page portrait with accom-
panying biographical matter on the
opposite page.
knew the book at a glance. It was
a volume devoted to Who's Who" in
banking 1t contained the leading
financiers Of the country, and fac
smile Of the signature Of every cash
Ter in the United States and Canada.
You wish to have me believe that
is your picture" observed the banker
in sneering tone. ALLOWING for
some resemblance"
Resilius Marvel boldly seized a pen
and tab of paper. He placed it be-
side the steel plate one in the book.
Compare. if you please,2 he said.
You are thinking of another Resilius
Marvel whom you met. If you chance
to have any specimen of his hand
writing. submit it to the test"
"Hah!"-it was a strange sound
that clicked in the throat of the bank
president. His hand went to an in
side pocket. He brought out an en-
velope and scanned its enclosure,
some memoranda furnished by the Du-
plicate, or the like. He was on his
feet, shaking with dismay as light
seemed to fash across his mind
"What-what does this means" he
asked, hoarsely.
That a clever criminal has induced
you to give him full swing inside of
your institution,P replied Marvel de-
cisively. THE loose ends of the ex-
PLANTATION you had best wait to explore
after you have made sure that he has
not already carried out his designs"
1t was half an hour later that the
banker let US into the bank, just as
he had introduced the Duplicate. He
led us rather nervously and hastily
into his private office, then to a wait
ing room, thence across the counting
room and before the great steel
vault. He had told us on the way that
he had unset the system of burglar