Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-15
Condolences Have Important Part
in a Story Of Mystery, Excitement,
Action and Succession Of Thrills.


neatly arranged awaiting the arrival
Keeler was a methodical young
man. Always cool and calm. he was
ciock-like In his punctuality. His
firm chin, his strong nose, his steady
blue eyes were. to the discerning,
sufficient indication Of his integrity.
Also, one felt that there could be no
question of his courage. And his
ability In his chosen career seemed
proved by the fact that at twenty
nine he had achieved 50 responsible
a position In one Of the largest banks
in the world.
He saw the uniformed porter I'M
lock and open the huge steel doors Of
the bank, and Turner. the young mes
senger of the Caraway Company en-
tered. Almost simultaneously ennis
saries arrived from the Wilton Com
pany. the MacEnany concern, and the
other big clients of the bank. Each
one, Keller noted was accompanied
by husky guard.
Eceler reached automatically for
20 bundles OF bills labeled Cara
way" Then. almost as automatically.
his hand 7wept below the count r end
touched tho switch that dropped. with
n jar.lnc crash the steel grating
whose intcriaced bars would protect
MIN from assault and robbery. His
other hand Eripped his ready pistol.
and through the bars he aimed the
weapon. For half a dozen men had
entered the bank after the messenger
from the Elspeth store.
A.
uniformed porter struggling with one
OF the late arrivals. He had acted
with instant decision; the banks
money was protected against the ma
RAIDERS For Keeler had only to
dodge down behind his counter TO be
out of range of any possible bullet
and the steel grating could be raised
only by the switch inside the cage.
No threat could make Keeler touch
that switch again.
But he did not hide bchind the
counter. instead. he pointed his re-
volver at a man struggling with the
Wilton guard. The man heard his
hoarse cry and Immediately ceased
his struggle. The uniformed porter
had backed tine man, whose attack
upon him had caused the cutlery, into
a corner. and blew upon a shrill
police whistle.
WITHIN three minutes after the
w attempted robbery had begun,
the bauditS were lined up against
one wall were disarmed. and were
penncd in by q dozen bank detec-
= tives and employees. keeler pressed
the switch that caused the heavy steel
grating to a:..nd into the ceiling. He
laughed "a he did go. In moment
the police. summoned by the porter's
whistle. would arrive and take away
the ridiculous bandits.
Indeed the police arrived sooner
than he had deemed possible. whole
platoon Of them sixteen in all, head
ed by a sergeant. raced up the bank
steps with drawn revolvers and
nightsticks in their hands. The ser
geant took one comprehensive glance
at the situation. then orderel the
massive doors closed.
From the inner offices the presi-
dent. the secretary, the treasurer. and
other officials of the bank had come.
The sergeant seemed TO recognize the
president He called him by name.
Get everybody in here, Mr.. Dana" he
commanded brusquely. Everybody!
Looks like an inside job TO me-"
That's absurd" said Dana. His
heavy jowls shook with Indignation.
Every man in this bank. every
woman, tools absolutely trust
worthy. Why"-and he pointed at
the six covering figures against the
wall-"they're all outsiders
How'd they know all these pay
roll people were to be here at a GER
tain hour, with the cash ready for
them? Get everyone here; / want to
look at them"
Dana felt the justice of the SER
geants attitude, even though he could
have informed the police officer that
information as to the time Of sending
for pay rolls could be easily picked
up by any client Of the bank who
kept his eyes open. He ordered an
underling to summon the rest of the
employees.
While they were coming the SER
geant and five of his men advanced
TO the prisoners. They slipped hand
cuffs on each of them and hustled
them roughly into the center of the
bank lobby. The sergeant looked at
the other customers of the bank.
Amy OF these mixed up In this?'
he demanded of Keeler.
The paying teller peered through
his cage. He pointed as he spoke:
That's Mr.. Kelly, an old client; that's
Mr. Wynans, another old customer;
that's Mr. Bennett, who's all right;
and that is Mr.. Pelham. They're all
known to me, and I can vouch for
them"
"All right" grunted the sergeant.
He turned to the president. Every
one here~ demanded the sergeant.
Even the telephone girls" Dana re-
piled.
Over the face of the sergeant
spread a grin. Pelham. the dapper
young-old man with the gray hair,
who had been last indicated by
keeler, seemed to sense something
odd in that grin. He took step
toward the sergeant; policeman
standing beside him lifted his night
stick, and Pelham crashed to the
floor.
Dana cried out in establishment.
The cry died in his throat. For the
sergeant thrust a revolver against
bis stomach. The banker was suddenly
sick.
Hands up, and don't move, every
lastone OF you," cried the sergeant.
His sixteen policemen wheeled sud-
denly upon the armed guards who
had accompanied the messengers.
NiThtsticks knocked them down, ard