White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-30
The Catspdw
BY Gilbert F.. B0remon

Riley he said, I'm closing up the
transfer of the Martin lam to the Black
Diamond Company, and 1 would like
YOU to make n note of some instruc-
lions that ! VIII give you In regard
10 ii. l intend to forward the papers
through the Second National bank to
New York. with a draft upon the COM
pany for $4,000. within about ten
days, or at any rate before Mr.. poolit-
tie ana I return from st. Paul. the bank
will probably have returns from New
York on the transaction am will re-
ceive that amounts; the bank will have
instructions to notify o at once when
such returns are received by them.
"Now, here Is a check signed by Fish.
dra wn on the Second National bank for
500 0c. payable TO bearer: you mad
better put II In the safe. so IL will not
be mislai1: the moment the bank no.
tiics YOU that they have received re-
turns from New York on this matter
ycu will please take this check inme-
diate1y to the bank md deposit the sum
to our credit there. Now, another
thing: Fish will in all probability Cali
on YOU within tie next few days for
some money which I am arranging to
pay him: IL he does. you will please
draw $500 from the firms account and
pay 1t to him In cash; no receipt will
be necessary. But please be very care
full. Riley. to cash That check for $3.50
n60- as soon as the bank notifies YOU
hat they nave received the money"
Il will, Mr.. Sharp: 7 will attend 10 il
carefully
Having Thus finished giving his in
strnetions to Riley. Mr.. Sharp returned
10 mis- c1ice where Fish was awaiting
him.
The Intricate plan which Sharp had
s%tudioGsly outlined md was now pro-
ceedirg TO put in execution with such
great precautions lad been devised By
him with -consuntnate ingenuity: he
had given 10 ii DAYS of consideration;
he believed that with the safeguards
which lie woul establish a successful
outcome was practically assured. But
had his ~clairvoyant mind visioned the
results which were destined to follow
his method of handling the financial
end of the deal through the medium of
rish's check which he had just deliy-
cred 10 Riley. he would quickly have
destroyed II ara evolved a less vulner-
able scheme.
IT seems 10 be unfailingly true that
In every criminal Undertaking there
comes a time when a slip or misstep is
made by the w%rongdoer; an error Of
Judgment, an act careIessly or negli-
gently performed. an unnoticed slip of
tongue or pen-some trining act. 0e-
c%asionally IL is detected by the criminal
himself in time to ward of resultant
trouble. but mere often IT spells dis
sster. 1t may remain u~ndisturbed. but
n - fagras n ia pHf dad. ct GiaanS. If
disturbed. lis awakening presages in
cvitabie retribution.
And SO in the present instance two
principal causes may be noted as con
dueing TO the results which followed:
first. Sharp's plan of handling the finan-
cial element in the indicated
above. which was an error of Judgment:
second. the loss OF tile paper containing
the list of ketonun's savings deposits
which VAS an accident.
Ii viii be recalled that earlier I'm this
narrative allusior was made TO the loss
Of that paper. To Sharp's mind the
loss was unimportant. which in a sense
was true. as 1t could be easily replaced
by the sterographer with a few mo-
nents' work; the important thing was
the finding Ct the paper, which was ir-
remediable.
Earlier il tie day on which Sharp
was detailing to his partner the facts
concerning the Ketchum estate he had
visited the bank. on coming out, with
n baneh of letters and documents in his
hand. a folded slip of paper had drop
ped unnoticed TO the bank steps. yery
shortly nfterwarG Mr.. Elliott Conrad.
also coming out. noticed the slip of
paper and picked it up; unfolding it
he read:
List OF savings Deposits and
Certificates Estate OF Joseph
ketchum."
Their followed the names OF several
hanks. with certain amounts set oppo-
site each: that was all. IL was appar-
emily a memorandum. perhaps intended
to be filed In the probate clerks office;
he would leave 1t there the first time
he had occasion TO go up. on arriving
at his Office he tossed the paper on his
desk and thought no more about 1t.
But returning from this depression to
Mr.. Fish and Mr.. Sharp in the later's
Office.
Wen go over to the bank now.
Johnny. and close up this transaction;
l want to leave these papers and give
them Instructions about forwarding
tntm 10 New tork, so Ia ike 10 nave
you Will, me when l do so, as the
transaction appears in your name"
ON arriving ut the Second National
bank and Inquire. Z for Mr.. James A.
Saunders. the presia mt. they were ush
cred into his pre-, nee in his private of.
flee. where Sharp lost no time in get
ting down to business.
Mr.. Saunders. you are acquainted
with AIr Efsh I ha1taRaor
'Oh. yes. yes; I know Mr.. Fish quite
we'll"
IT have here aid MIR. Sharp. IA
matter which | would like to have your
bank handle Tor us. This is a deed
from Mr.. Fish to the Black Diamond
Fuel Company for some land which
CONTINUED On PAGE SEyEN)