The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-10-06

PsNHSS
eye swept the room in his rapid com,
| prehensive way.
| did not make out what Marvel
| had taken in with that practised eye
OF his at a glance, until | had got
| nearly up to the desk, which | found
was one used in sealing money en-,
velopes. A strong gas jet was going
Near it were the steel dies, wax
sticks and cord used in securing pack
ages. The prisoner had evidently
been busy during his brief period OF
forced retirement. A pair of small
scissors and safety razor lay on the
table. Also, under the gas jet was
quite heap OF fresh, warm cinders.
The eyebrows of the captive were
jagged and irregular, and his upper
lip was rough and scraped.
He has tried to disguise himself!
shouted the bank teller instantly
ITO disigure himself, you mean, "
interpolated Marvel. He has done
more than that. He has been busy
removing all Identification marks
papers, clothing tags-hello! what's
this?"
From behind the man there sud
denly sprang out small lively dog.
He was OF the fox terrier breed, and
barked at us Justify.
"Oh, the animal was with him when
he came into the bank" explained the
teller. Followed him In here. Be-
longs to him, l suppose"
Il see." nodded my friend, thought
fully. Now. then. my mani"
He fixed his eye sharply on the pris-
oner. The latter did not finch under
the cynosure. He must have been
a handsome appearing young man be-
fore he had jabbed those scissors into
his eyebrows. He was very pale, but
there was nothing of the cringing or
alarmed culprit about him.
Il see it is useless to ask you your
name" observed Marvel I'VE will
make a search, but | fancy you have
forestalled what you were shrewd
enough to suspect awaited you"
My friend was right. The man had
cut off even the laundry marks on his
linen, had removed every letter and
card from his pocketbook, and had
burned them on the marble top of the
sealing table.
You won't tell your name. of
course" said Marvel. "Will you talk
at all?"
Il will make only one statement"
came the cool, composed reply.
Il shall be glad to receive it," re-
piled Marvel
Il did not know until half hour
since that / was passing counterfeit
money"
You know 1t now"
YES" came the response, accom-
panied with a tremor of the finely
chiseled lips. II had ten 500 bills,
and l have passed them all
Where did you get them?"
Il will answer that question and
rest my case there" was the singular
reply. After that 1t is up to you to
do what you choose; and after that I
shall absolutely refuse to say one
world found them"
That was all-all at the start, all at
the finish. Argument, menaces, ca
jolery, sympathy-these went for
nothing. Marvel studied the prisoner
silently. Then he whispered to the
teller. The latter retired, to reappear
with the floor officer. Marvel gave
this man some low-toned instructions.
The officer placed a come-along upon
the wrist of the prisoner.
"You can leave the dog" spoke Mar
vel suddenly.
The prisoner turned and his lips
parted. He was evidently about to
put in a plea for the continued COM
partnership Of the little animal, whom
he seemed to regard with fondness.
With something of a sigh. he re-
pressed utterance, however, pulled
his hat down over his eyes and stolid-
ly accompanied the officer from the
place.
Get me piece of stout cord" Mar
vel directed the teller. and in another
few minutes we were on our way to
the offices of the United Bankers Pro-
tective association. The little animal
whined and worried, but trotted
along. guided by Marvel. The latter
turned the dog loose in an empty
room and sat down In his own favor
tie chair In his private Office.
There is some thinking to do" he
observed. "but I should like to have
you back here about an hour before
dusk"
was curious enough and interested
enough to greet the invitation as a
favor, and said so.
And by the way, my friend" he
called after me as reached the door,
that young man we have secured
told the truth-he did not know the
500 bills were counterfeit until the
teller at the Central National told him
So"
wondered how Resilius Marvel had
found this out, but I knew he was
right. He usually treasured up his de-
auctions and discoveries until case
was ended. When he anticipated an
l had found in the
past, it was only when he was very
sure of his ground.
When I reached his Office again 1t
was well on towards evening. Marvel
A. e.. low