The Owosso times., 1921-05-20
Banker and
Sleuth
(@. is2l. western Newspaper Uniea. )
BY HAZEL SMITH


Jarnigan sat at his desk in the bank
supremacy satisfied with himself. with
the institution Of which he was an
efficient and valued official, and with
the results Of good days work.
A bank book was passed across the
counter slab and directly under his
eyes. Usually chary Of glances or
greetings that took time, and there
fore cost money, as was his wont, Jar
nigan was about to give the case the
attention 1T might require, when he
noticed that shapely gloved nand
had pushed the book over to him.
The bank man looked up sharply
to stare steadily. He was looking
into the fairest face he had ever seen.
1t was that OF young girl, very neat
ly but plainly dressed. A wistful
mournfulness IL her eyes seemed to
appeal for sympathy and kindly atten-
tiOn.
''What is It, miss?" spoke Jarnigan,
trifle less peremptory than was his
custom. "Ah, see," he added as he
opened the book and found inclosed
check for five hundred dollars.
signed Robert Dalziel."
II see. And this Is his bank book.
Very good" continued Jarnigan. "He
wishes to draw out his entire bal
ance and the check is made out to
you"
II do not wish the cash." explained
the young lady. Il would like to have
the account carried in my name
now."
"Could rot your brother come with
you-for purposes of identificationT
my brother" replied the girl in
voice very near to tears, "is-in
prison."
Jarnigan did not reply. He felt a
strange wave of pity sweep over him.
Then, methOdically, as usual, he made
out a new book, and presented 1t with
the necessary documents to the girl.
"H'm," he soliloquized, as she
thanked him in low tone, ard he
watched her graceful form clear to
the doorway.
Somehow the incident fingered In
the mind of the bank man. Some
how, too, he hoped the girl would
come again. Several days passed by,
and one morning an elderly lady pre-
sented check for twenty dollars,
signed by ida Dalziel." The receiv-
iEg teller sent her to Mr.. Jarnigan.
"Tell Miss Dalziel I will send the
cash by messenger"
All that afternoon Jarnigan was In
q strange mood. He would take the
money to Miss Dalziel himself. Why
not?
Everything about the little fiat and
its two occupants bespoke refinement
as Jarnigan entered the Dalziel apart
ments. He was asked to sit dowE.
Before he knew it, his mission Of
business ended in an hours stay.
Miss Dalziel told a pitiful story.
Her brother, Ernest, had been for
years the trusted employee of large
diamond house. One day he was ar
rested. Forty thousand dollars worth
of gems were found missing. Dalziel
was accused. A few, small diamonds
were found in his desk, placed there
by some one, he declared. The stolen
gems we're rot found, and he was
sentenced to the penitentiary for ten
years.
"Innocent I" insisted Ida, in tears.
"And we know the guilty One."
"YOu are sure Of that?" inquired
Jarnigan, eager and interested.
''Yes, It was James Hope, the chief
clerk. He placed the guilt on my
brother. Ernest says he knows that
Hope has hidden the gems away until
he can safely dispose Of them. Hope
is a bad man. My brother found
letter to him, in which a convict in
the OHIO penitentiary charged him
with getting him into trouble, and
then leaving him to bear the brunt
Of the crime. He wrote that he lived
for but one thing-to escape, and then
he swore to kill Hope"
"Have you that letter?" asked Jar
nigan.
eyes," replied Ida.
Somehow the progress of "the case"
furnished an excuse to the bank man
to call twice during the next week.
The one following he appeared with
suppressed excitement and satisfac-
ton in this manner.
"Miss Dalziel," he said, as they
we're seated alone, II have good news
for you. The missing diamonds and
James Hope, the man who stole them,
are in the hands Of the police"
"And my brothery' cried Ida, clasp.
ing her hands In suspense.
"Wnl be free man within few
days."
There the overcome young lady
tainted away, ard, holding her in his
arms and gazing on her lovely face,
Jarnigan took final step--he kissed
her.
"That letter." he told her later
"cave me a clue. l acted upon the
theory that Hope was In mortal terror
Of the man he had sent to prison.
..or-cnanor frianH npor this