The Tomahawk., 1917-11-08

spoken by the teller. He picked up
the three checks again. He felt of
them, he held them up against the
light Of day streaming in through the
inspection told nothing. The checks
were fair and smooth Of surface as
though they had just come from the
print shop. He shook his head slow
ly but irresolutely.
IF there is any other explanation"
said the teller in a hollow tone, II
shall hand in my resignation and refer
you to my bondsmen."
stop right there!" almost shouted
our president, pointing fairly indig-
nant finger at the wretched Agnew,
the real man in him aroused. IF any
man in the bank so much as hints that
your share in this small incident isn't
regular, he's the one that will 60 with
out time to resign. And If you your
self try to slide in such an explanation
I'll-Ill discipline you! Whether in
visible ink or an unpenetrable mystery
we may never be able to solve, you
will go right back to your post or duty
and-look out for blank checks"
II have provided for that" an
nounced Agnew, his face clearing con-
siderably. Every check that comes
in today will be listed. leave these
others in your hands. There Is such
a thing as a sensitive ink that de-
velops under heat, as we all know.
An ink that fades out within brief
space of time may also be a pos
sibility. AS firmly as I believe that
I am here, so surely do I know that
some depositor having liberal de-
posit selected busy time or when
was substituted at noon to put over
those three checks. When you recall,
sir, that the last day of month and
the first day of a new one comprise
the fever heat rush in the teller's
cages, and over $500 different checks
paid in six hours, you cannot wonder
that a man may not retain In his
memory name, amounts circum-
stances"
Look out for more of the checks,
Agnew," directed the president with
a hand wave of dismissal, land report
to me tonight"
The paying teller left the private
Office. I ventured to lean over and
speak two words into the presidents
ear.
And then?' I said si1-ply.
ALLOWING that the disappearing ink
game has been played" observed the
official. 1.-The operator may put In an
other appearance today
'And if not?" I pressed.
The president shrugged his shout
ders and glanced helplessly at the
three bits of paper before him.
Forget it, and don't let it get out"
he remarked sententiously.
Il might suggest better alterna-
tive" submitted modestly.
What is that?" questioned the pres
ident, wearied of the subject and nerv-
ously taking up "a bundle of docu-
ments. = .,
, ''Send for Resilius Marvel
'Fine!" projected my companion,
and the utterance was the vast ex-
preston of unutterable relief and sat
isfaction. Here, take the blank,
checks. That's a positive inspira-
tion-Resilius Marvel. by all means!
Now then, let US resume-as to the
Chinese loan" ri
L went twice to the Office of the
United Bankers Protective associa-
ton that day, but did not find it's
active head, Resilius Marvel, in evil
dence. l WAS the last one to leave
the bank that evening. As I started
to cross the street homeward bound he
stood at my side, as magically ap-
peared as If he had come up from
the earth or landed from an airship.
Something on your mind, under
stand?" he remarked.
On the. banks mind, rather" ex-
planned, and sketch:ly outlined the cir
cumstances of the blank checks /.
"Clever-but DID, he commented.
Then you believe the tellers theory
will hold water?".
:. Decidedly, yes: Come over to the
club. Wen have dinner, q room to
ourselves, and go over the details at
our leisure
That program was carried out. I
produced the three blank checks after
we had discussed an appetizing meal.
Marvel closed his eyes and felt over
their surface. He took them close up
to the one hundred candle power
electric bulb in the reception ante
room, with the aid of a magnifying
disc he always carried with him he
Inspected the front and back Of zach
of the three checks in turn.
AN expert has done the work." he
declared. There is not trace OF any
,tampering with the checks. We will
submit a test, though, to the one man
who ought to know" -,
There was a brief taxicab whiri
knew where we were headed for when
we reached a structure located Just
ut the edge of the Office building dis
trict given over to studios and music
rooms. We approached a door bear
ing the words: "Aeschuylus Barrin.
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