The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-08-27
THE STARS
Daily Short Story
MOST UNETHlCALLY EFFECTIVE"
BY Jack Woodford
ANOTHER COMPLETE SHORT STORY TOMORROW

To the casual observer. every
thlng at the Second National
seemed about as usual, but 20 one
on the inside. Il was at once Ap
parent that there was something
extraordinary going on Their,
were silent. heavy iowied. large
footed individuals. az least hall
dozen OF them. walking slowly
back and forth. cndcavoring 60 ap
pear unconeerned and succeeding In
appearing nothing u not sieuthy
Tho bundles ot currency. at the
paying teiler's cages. were not. "a
usual. stacked within reasonably
easy reach Of the windows AAsa:'
SET hack 80 far that the tellcrs had
10 take step every time thry
oashed check The officials. IN
stead Of digcsting their morning
papers ieisurely while looking stu
diously serious and grave-ap
peared frankly iliat.ease and
Watched the general banking fleoi
apprehensively. Several had the
top drawer OF their desk open. IN,
drawer which contained the auto
us>.>s which none Of them knew
hoN % use.
Suddenly roush.lookinE In
dividual entered. Instantly q
strange quiet came over the place
every employc stopped and
watched hresthlessiy even IN,
customers who happened TO b,
there felt the tension as the mar
walked 20 the paying ieiier's win
dow The large room became X
still that his voice was plainly
audible.
kin I get a check esshed7" h'
questioned diffidently.
Have you an account here
asked the teller guardedly. his hant
out OF sight beneath tho counter
No" admitted the man.
Then I can't cash your check.
replied the payer. as tho stating q
great and obvious truism to q
child The man turned. grumblet
a little, and walked out. TherE
were synchronous signs Of rclaxa
ton.
by George, This thing is get
ting on my nerves" said Presi
dent Benson. dropping into a chair
at the side OF Vice President Al
kins' desk.
Same here. agreed Atkins
wish 70 Heaven they'd make tbs
attempt and be done with T."
They inserted the president
raising his eyebrows. you think
Il win be several people. Them
Seems TO mo u would take q
whole gang TO overcome the pro
lection they would naturally ex
pect Us to have on hand In view
Of that note-ths whole thing Is
probably just hoax. anyway"
That's what I thought. at first,
said Benson seriously. but. some
how. have prcm0nitlon--yor
know strange things have beer
happening lately in banks near
I've noticed tina, several OF them
hav. put In new type OF Gags
following some mysterious happen
lng which they refuse TO talk aoout
ard Invariably act embarrassed
when questioned upon" He reached
into his pocket. carefully extracted
worn piece Of note-phper and
read II aloud reflectively:
II will drop In AZ your funny
hank SONS time THURSDAY and stea
sum O, r1onhy--catch me NJ II
Il you can
Atkins laughed. Ridiculous. or
he face Of IL. and yet"
"Ane yet" agreed Benson.
Thr.e o'clock came. and no,hins
happened. al this time OF day the
hank closed, theoretically. althc
actually they waited upon th'
chr1nically late customer until
nearly four. At 4 O'Clock the large
otter doors wers locked. and stilI
p,thing untoward occurred Ths
orce, especially tho younger eic
ment, wsrs somewhat disappoint
cd: that is. until Hawkins, The
head payer announced $1,000
shortage in his cash. Immediately
an excited group formed in his
cage.
You're sure you are really out
that rnuchT" questioned President
Benson incredulously.
Sorry. sir. I've been over my
figures three times; there seems
no doubt"
Hawkins looked miserable: his
record as a payer had always been
OF the best--nsver before had h
had shortage Of any size.
Anyone been in the cage. today
aside from yourself" queried At
klns.
Not a soul. SIR
Did you put the money into the
drawers when you went to lunchT
probed the auditor. who had Joined
the group.
Yes. sir" affirmed Hawkins.
lighting cigaret with fingers that
trembled visibly.
At last, one of the detectives,
unable to stand the silent, reproach
full looks cast toward his fellows
spoke up defIantIy:
This cage Is at the end Of one
Of the sections; people coming In
and out from the safe deposit de.
partment must pass behind IT,"
But. surely" interrupted Ben
son impatiently, you men watched
the back of the cages as well az
the front7"
Sure did" spoke up another oi
the officers, II was around near
here while Hawkins WAC out "a
lunch. A man stood behind THU
cage for quite long time, wait
ing. while n lady companion in
quired concerning box rents. but
didn't take my eyes away Ions
enough for Him 10 have opened
the cage door. even II he had had
pass key--most assuredly he
If you value your watch, let Haynes
repair Il. Next Liberty theater. ADV.
HEEHEEEEH