Evening star., 1923-12-02

ne calls a taxi. He drives to the
Pioneer Mills; where. presume. he
puts the money In the safe for the
night. The whole process, from the
time Alec Rae enters the bank till
the time the money is put in the safe
At the Pioneer Mills, takes about an
hour"
Bafn paused. Yeager was leaning
forward, listening fntentfy. Strans
was sprawled back in hfs chair. but
ne was not missing a word.
Now" continued the banker, "the
problem before our super-crook is to
set that black wairus bag with the
cash. ! have doped out plan he
might follow; think IT would work.
Here 1t is:
Our super-crook comes to Chm
tonfa and gets a job with the Pioneer
Mills to study the habits Of Alec Rae.
He hnds out in a few months just
how Alec Rae gets the cash for the
pay ron. Then. on the night before
the last day in the month, he sneaks
over to Bridge City or Avalon. steals
taxicab and drives ii to Clintonia.
That would be easy. Then he hides
the taxi until the afternoon, and
when Alec Rae comes out Of the
CHntonia Trust Company, about twen-
ty minutes after 8. the man Is wait
ing for him and his black bag. Rae
always takes the ffrst taxi that comes
along, so he'd get in.
Our super-crook then heads his
machine down Market street at q
good pace and turns up Church street,
headed for the Pioneer Mills. But he
does not turn along Lincoln avenue
instead. he shoots past the cemetery
and on to the covered bridge across
the Rushing river. This was a short
cut to the mills. but recently the
bridge has Been condemned and there
is no traffic on ft at all. The whole
thing would take less than fifteen
seconds. In the center Of the bridge.
where IT Is dark on the brightest day.
the thief would stop his car short.
Alec Rae would stick his head out OF
the window to see what had hap
pened and the thief would knock him
unconscious with a blackjack"
But isn't Rae armed?" asked Yea
ger.
Hes supposed to be-" answered
Simon Balm. But our crook would
find out that Rae broke his revolver
two months ago and has been too Pc
nurfous to buy a new one. He car
rfes his old one. which does not work"
Are you sure of that?" demanded
Yeager
Positive" replied the banker. Our
crook would have an easy time ST.
lencing Alec Rae"
But, even though Rae is near
sighted. he could. perhaps, see the
man sufficiently well to identify him
afterward." suggested the district at
torney.
Balm smiled grimly.
Our super-crook would take no
chances" he said. 'orhe Rushing river
tells no tales. The unconscious mar
would be thrown from the bridge into
the rapids. You know how seldom
bodies are recovered from the Rush
Ing river. and then they have been
pounded to a pulp on the rocks. The
thief and murderer would abandon
the taxi and slip out Of town with
the black bag. There's your crime.
Mr.. District Attorney. How about it?"
The district attorney shrugged his
shoulders.
ITS hard to TELL" he admitted. "ot
course. there are many snass your
man might strike"
Ir
strans. Knocking the ashes out of his
pipe. Some one ought to tell Rae
about it. Put him on his guard"
Are you sure Rae's pistol doesn't
work." asked the district attorney.
"As I said, I'm positive" answered
Balm.
by Jove," exclaimed strang.
springine up. 'Tt's 10 o'clock. Pm
due home. Good night" The three
men left the club and went their
several ways.
4 X X +
THE next night two Serious men
faced each other across a mar
raw table in a quiet corner of the
Clintonian Club. They we're Simon
Balm. cashier Of the Clintonia Trust
Company. and Morton Yeager, the
district attorney Of Valley county.
You know what I am going to
say. Bain." said the district attorney
in low voice. "and how much 1 re.
sret to say It,"
His eyes bored into those Of the
man across the table; the banker met
the searching scrutiny with q smile.
"well?" he said.
The district attorney leaned toward
him.
what did you do with the money.
Bain?' he said.
The bankers answer was IN the
tone OF one speaking With elaborate
patience to . petulant child.
Il tell you, Teafer. did not take
It," he said.
II wish might believe that" said
YeaSer. "but the evidences will not
let me. And 1t is on the evidence
that /, as q pubic official, must pro-
ceed. You know that, Balm"
yes. I know IT, said the banker.
without emotion. "and that u why
have not resented your absurd charge.
I am waiting to hear that evidence,
I assume that 1t must appear conclu-
sive. otherwise you would not dare
make such q charge against me-"
You shall heaf the evidence, Bain
When you see how much 1 know.
you'll also see that there is only one
course open to you--confessioh."
I'm listening" was ali Balm said:
"Tn the first place. said ths dis-
trict attorney. an the presence Of
StranE ana r1ySelf yn,, oiifftnAa .