The Bozeman courier., 1927-01-21

Give me all the money you have in the
bank" the intruder demanded. "Quick!
don't want to hurt you, but I'm desperate.
The money before / count ten!"
The left hand struck the counter for the
| first time-then for the second. There was
/ a short pause between the beats. Mr. Tidd,
small, neat hammered man, conscientious
| to a fault but never intended by nature
| or disposition for deeds Of herOsim, did
not hesitate in his mind for a single mo-
ment. 1t is true that inStinctively his eyes
swept the empty street; true, too, that he
/ listened for the sound of any approaching
or passing vehicle. His lack of response,
| however, was a matter of seconds only,
and when it came, little tremulOus, it
was distinct enough.
''YOu shall have the money" he promised.
There isn't great deal"
''There had ebtter be- was the fierce re-
jOinder. Where is it?"
''In the drawer just in front Of me-"
| What about the safe 2"
Mr.. Tidd shook his head.
''There are only securities there and bank
notes for large amounts" he replied. "They
would be of no use to you. There are half
a dozen people who know the numbers,
even if you got rid of me-"
How much loose mOney-treasury notes
have you got in there?"
Zone hundred and nineteen pounds"
was the hesitating admission.
Hand it over. Get a move on!"
Mr.. Tidd did as he was told. Mechani-
cally he mOistened his forefinger on the
"Chuck that" the young man insisted.
"Give 'em to me as they are. "I'u count
them afterwards. Don't trifle with me. "I'u
swear to God I'll shoot If you do"
81 have accepted the situation" Mr.. Tidd
reminded him, with some dignity. "There
, is the money"
The mara1der stuffed the notes into his
pocket. He listened for a moment The
, silence was still unbrOken. There was not
even a football upon the pavement outside.
What's that room in there2'' he in
quired, pointing to the diminutive office
); in which Mr.. Tidd was accustomed to in
l terview his clients
"My office" was the Iaconic response.
what l ought to do" the young man
q deflected, depressing his revolver a little,
! "is to shoot you in the leg or knock you
" about until you couldn't give the alarm. "
81 trust" Mr.. Tidd said. earnestly, "for
4 your own sake as well as mine, that you
will not indulge in unnecessary violence
4 "Win you give me your wOrd?' the in
. truder stipulated, "tO go into that office
!, and sit there for ten minutes without
z moving, if l let you alOne?"
4 "Under cOmpulsion," Mr.. Tidd assented
\ 81 give you my word"
= "Then leg it there as quick as you can,
was the brusque command.
MT. T1dd d1sllked the phrase, Tor his
Y usual walk was a somewhat deliberate pro
y ceeding. He certainly hurried, however
u during the last few steps and breathed {
Il sigh Of relief as he closed the door behind
him, and listened to the turning of the key
Of in the lock. Presently he heard swift foot
l. steps pass the window on their way up tht
4 street, and later he fancied that he coulC
catch the faint irregular explosions o
= some sort of motor vehicle.
He sat with his eyes fixed upon th
s. clock. In exactly ten minutes he threw opel
al the window and leaned out. Tom Baker
e. the irOnmongeF. was strOlling by on tn
= other side Of the road, and obeyed at ono
with some surprise Mr.. Tidd's call.
lt did you want me?" he asked a httl
= Mr.. Tidd leaned farther out Of the win
= dow.
o. with agitation. "I'm locked in here. Th
e banks been robbed. Come and let me out.
~ Mr.. Baker showed every sign Of amaze
e ment; an expression Of incredulOus hOrrC
=" filled his eyes; his mouth remained fC
some seconds wide open. A bank robber
in Melhampton! The thing was unb'
- lievable.
Ia. Ously. "We must telephone to the police
OF "GOd bless my sOul!" the ironmOngC
OA exclaimed, as he made dash for the froI
door.
- Late in the afternoon, while Melhamptc
II was still quiyering with the excitement
this undreamed Of happening, Mr.. It'd
/ neatly dressed as usual and carrying q
. | malacca cane which had been one of h
I L many presents from his daughter IN Anne
: lea, rang the bell at the vicarage door ar
> was duly admitted TO the presence OF &
vicar, Mr.. Haselton. The latter welcome
him warmly and with much considerable
offered his own easy chair.
Dear me- Mr.. Tidd," be said, "what
Ordeali Mrs. HaseltOn and l have be,
most distressed, l can assure you. u
have had tear"
a. II have had tea, thank you" Mr.. ii,
replied, folding his gloves mechanical
and placing them inside his hat.
'Let me hear the story from your ov
lips" Mr.. HaseltOn begged: There are
hundred different versions going abol
Most unfortunate that the inspector "
away and that only ChOpping was here.
good fellow ,ChOpping, but lacking lit
in intelligence, / fear"
"Chopping has done what he could" \