The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-01
ILDPEN <WOMANS SPHERE + THC HONIE

.z AE Z-x$ to his secretary, who had risen and started to leave the room as Lang entered. Tell them outside that I am not to be disturbed Kenneth eyed his chief in surprise. It was plain that the subject on which he was intent was not trifllng one.
 "sit down!" Dodson said curtly. There is a serious matter I want to talk to you about. Of course, what we say to one another is strictly private"
 Certainly" Kenneth nodded. Excuse a personal question. You are not engaged to James Walshs daughter, are you?"
 T am not"
 The answer was so prompt and de- cided that the questioner's austere face was lighted for an instant with gleam of amusement.
 Then I have no hesitation in show ing you this.'
 He pulled open drawer. drew from 1t slip of pink paper and laid 1t in front Of his companion. Kenneth looked at 1t eagerly. It was check made payable to cash and signed by James Walsh.
 Lang turned 1t over quickly. It was indorsed by Victoria Walsh.
 "WellF The president. voice was harsh. What do you mako of it?" T thought I had seen 1t before" Kenneth Lang explained. "But the check I saw was only for a hundred dollars"
 (Which Is the sum that this check was for originally" was the abrupt announcement.
 What.
 Examine it yourself" Dodson or- dered, handing him a small magni- flying glass. "Ah" as Kenneth uttered 8 muffled ejaculation. You see 1t, do you? Made out for hundred and raised to thousand.
 Good Lord!" Kenneth gasped. How can that be? Why. the girl could never-''
 He paused. "That's what saidw Dodson rejoined. "I do not believe the child had anything to do with the check after indorslng 1t in its original form"
 Of course, Victoria had had nothing to do with raising this check. Of coures, someone else
 Who presented it?" Kenneth asked quickly.
 Henry Dobson dropped his voice even lower than before.
 Cant you guess? Samuel Travers!"
 Lang had known 1t even before he asked the question.
 Jerry Thompson paid him the money" Dobson explained. "In one hundred dollar bills"
 ct had been one of those that Victoria spoke of last night as "a nice new bill tucked away in her bag!")
 'Of course Jerry should have been more careful" Dobson continuel. Yet it seems that for months Travers has been getting checks cashed for the girl. fancy her father pays her regular allowance and generous one at that. But she never comes to the bank with her checks-or very seldom.
 iSRecently che has had Travers bring them in for her. So Jerry who has cashed those checks for granted that 1t was all right. Yet he might have seen that 1t was raised if he had looked at 1t care- fully. It Is not done very skill fully at that.
 
 ull-and-well-ther 1t is anyway! And only yesterday afternoon Walsh sent for his vouchers. as We have just balanced his handbook! He will discover the theft as soon as he goes over his vouchers.
 Knowing that you and the girl there have ben rumors that you are engaged-in fact your mother sug- gested to me recently that you are engaged-I decided to speak to you immediately. A detective must be put on Travers' tracks"
 Kenneth sprang to his feet. "No!" he exclaimed. Not yet. Wait"
 Wait" Dobson repeated angrily. For whatY, To give the fellow time to skip the town. Man, arc you crasy?"
 Mo-" Kenneth said moro calmly. T am not crazy. But I may be able to get at the bottom of this thing without . public scandal. And that is what I want"
 What you want?" the bank presi- dent repeated. What We want Is to get hold of that rogue and the monsy!'
 "Mr. pobsonw Kenneth dropped into a chair again. T cannot ex- plain. But think perhaps can today. he would have no time to get the money back-can locate Travers can mako it all right with Walsh. I know I am asking great deal in begging you to give mo a few hours on this case. Let me think
 ''Go ahead and think" his com ranion said gruffly. But thinking won't mako . theft like this any thing less than . state prison of- fense."
 Lang seemed not to hear him. He