Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1920-09-03

have the privilege"
"What IL the telegram is delayed I'M
til tomorrow" she objected. "You
promised to stay. You must come
home for dinner at least, else we shall
be frightened"
"Very WELL"
He bowed, and before Ellen or her
mother could speak he was out of the
room.
A drive of few minutes brought
the car down to that solid and con-
sentative bank, the Fourth National
of Denver. AS Clinton followed Doc
tor Kirkland In through the screen
door an outhurrying business man
paused to clap him on the shoulder
and tell him ne mad come home look
ing fine and fit Clinton nodded and
passed on into the bank.
The big hawk-eyed guard, who was
wandering about through the crowd,
glanced at him and bowed. Again he
nodded. On all sides men were rec
Ognizing him by smiles and mods.
Some would have detained him with
words of welcome and inquiries as to
his long holiday. Doctor Kirkland
saved him from the embarrassment of
coherent answers by leading him brisk
ly across to the desk of the cashier.
BENIN, as fastidiously dressed as
ever, was sitting within the inclosure.
At sight of Clinton he sprang to open
the gate, with cordial: "Ah. here you
are Come right In. You, too, Doc
tor Kirkland"
"Must 60 back to my Office" replied
dorse Mr.. Clinton's draft If that is nee
essary."
"Not at ALL" said BENIN. "Tve ex-
planned Mr.. Clinton's odd resemblance
to Mr.. Lowrie. The draft will be
cashed all right"
Clinton drew out his draft and In
dorsed II under the sharp gaze of the
cashier without the slightest trace of
hesitancy.
The cashier glanced at the ticket,
handed it back to him, and turned to
another customer. 1.-THE money will be
sent in to you," he said in brusque
tone.
"His busy day, y'know," drawled
BENIN, signaling Clinton to come with
him through the door behind the rail.
cashier runs the bargain counter of
bank. Quite bore, take 1t. Give
me the vice presidency. Stately lei
surs-all that. y'know."
Clinton stopped short his fingers
thrust into the fold of his wallet. at
must have dropped out" he muttered.
whats that?" inquired BENIN.
'The check for the suitcase. must
have dropped It,"
"YOu did-last evening"" replied
BENIN. "No doubt 1t fell out with
your baggage checks. l must have
been still a bit confused from that
knockout blow when picked them up.
This morning l found the brass check
in my pocket"
YES" said Clinton, holding out his
hand.
BENIN smiled suavely. you'll par
don the liberty, I'm sure. / happened
to be down at the depot, and thought
you might like to have your suitcase
up at the house."
THANKS. Doctor Kirkland will hear
today with regard to Mr.. Lowrie, so
may be leaving tonight. But 1t was
thoughtful of YOU"
"You think of leaving tonightT' pro-
tested BENIN.
ont ~ fc eut0 h
lished fancy neither Miss Kirkland
nor Miss Lowrie will urge me to stay"
"Td be glad to put you up in my
diggings until you've got In touch with
people here" offered BENIN.
Clinton met the cordial invitation
with frank smile and an equally
frank refusal. That's good of you.
But with tie town determined to be-
lieve I'm Mr.. Lowrie, and the young
ladies annoyed at finding I'm not, 1t
will be bit too uncomfortable"
"Ah, yes" murmured BENIN, and he
knocked softly at a door. Here is the
office of the vice president"
A bland, elderly gentleman opened
the door. BENIN introduced Clinton to
him, and declined the vice president g
invitation to enter, with the excuse
that ne wished to chat with one Of
the assistant cashiers. Clinton sat
down with the vice president, who re-
marked casually on his strong resem-
blance to VIII Lowrie and started a
witty conversation.
BENIN, meantime, had gone through
the Enclosure of the first assistant
cashier into the Office of the bank
president, small cold-eyed, correct
banker. BENIN slipped into a chair
at the financier's elbow and murmured
concisely: mo trace of the key in the
suitcase, sir. saw his baggage checks
and noted the numbers. His trunks
went on to the coast. Wired Frisco
for them to be watched and held, IL
necessary. The probability is that he
has the key on his person. He has
changed suits to one he wore last
summer, to which, no doubt, he has
shifted the key"
sect It," said the president.
AT the first opportunity, sir. I do
not think II best to show our hand