Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-04-27
The Missing
Cuffs
BY CALVIN HENDRICKS

John Martin, mortgage banker,
shrewd and careful man Of business,
sat facing his bookkeeper, Ralph Ter
hume, a pleasing, clear-minded young
man, in the estimation OF Eunice Mar
tin at least, although the money abb
sorbed father knew nothing of that.
The two men were seated in the pri-
vate Office of the banker. This had
an anteroom and both apartments con-
nected with the residence Of John
Martin. In the anteroom was lurk-
ing figure.
This man was Burton Beale, BACH
elor cousin of the banker, who had
been the guest of his relative for
nearly a month.
"You understand, Terhune," the
banker was speaking within the pri-
vate Office.
Perfectly, Mr.. Martini" replied the
young office man.
II have never trusted any employee
as 1 am trusting you. 1t is necessary
that should, for some important
transactions will have to be handled
by you during my absence"
you will not be gone long, pre-
sume?"
Perhaps a week. Lean little clos
er, Terhune. The combination Of the
safe is 12-105-19"
Ralph Terhune nodded comprehend
ingly. While the banker spoke he
had carelessy scrubbed the numerals
on slip Of scrap paper. Instantly his
employer drew the tell-tale slip from
his hand. i.
"Memorize it,"
"To aid me, I will make temporary
notation, then" said Terhune, and he
marked the numbers on the white
surface Of his shirt cuff.
The modest but pretty cuff button
holding it together met his glance as
he did this, and his eye frightened.
Those buttons were a birthday gift
| from Eunice, q week ago.
When the banker and Ralph passed
| through the anteroOm, Beale was not
| there
Let us take a little stroll, Ter
hume" he suggested as. apparently
casually, he later met his intended
victim on the street near his hotel.
"Time for a game of billiards, at
least" pressed Beale.
"Oh, yes have full hour of leis-
ure."
Come on, then"
Beale disguised the fact that he
was an expert at the game. He made
It interesting for his opponent by some
c-ever manipItations ana Ralph's in
terest so decpened that he threw off
his coat and cuffs and became alb
| sorhed in watching mis- adversary.
Eeale allowed halph to win, and
kept up clatter Of talk. IS it neared
cicht O'Clock they left the place. Sud
denly Ralph halted upon the public
1 street.
g! GccI&rc," he exclaimed, II left
my cuffs in the rack back ut the bill
li9rd hall"
! Ills face was grave and anxious all
| the time later while he sat convers-
| ing with Eunice or listening to her
piano paying at the Martin home. As
he arose to leave she looked appeal
ing|y into his face.
"tAlph." she said. "what is troubling
rou this evening? Something. | know.
Won't yOU tell me what it is?"
He told EuNirp at the loss of his
cuffs. she realized how sincerely he
deplored the loss of her first gift to
him. II have offered liberal reward
at the billiard hall for their recovery"
said Ralph.
lie did not tell her of the safe COM
binution which he had scribbled on
one of the cuffs. For the life of him
he could not recall those numerals.
This put him in a state of anxiety,
and to some decided Inconvenience.
Fortunately no business came in that
required reference to the contents of
the safe but large amounts were paid
and these Ralph locked up In strong
box.
Mr.. Martin returned at the end of
ten days tie looked surprised when
Ralph made his report. He opened
the safe. Then he turned upon his
bookkeeper with dark, suspicious
face.
II left package containing twelve
hundred in cash in this safe when
went away, and 1t is gone" he said
sat down grimly, wrote out a, check
for months salary and added: "Ter-
hume, you are discharged"
Ralph was given no opportunity to
explain.
Two days later Beale borrowed a
thousand dollars on note from a (,
banker. Two days still Inter Martin
learned that the note was forgery
He began an investigation. At It's /
termination he was satisfied that his
fugitive relative was a Consciousness
swindler.
Just after the fight of Beale, how
ever, Eunice came to him with fam
ing eyes.