The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-12-16

was simple enough-worthless bonds
substituted for good ones-with a good
bond on the top and bottom of each
package, so the packages would pass
casual inspection. Probably been
going on for some time"
The fingers of Dale's right hand
drummed restlessly on the edge of her
settee.
Couldn't somebody else have done
2" she queried tensely.
The doctor smiled, a trif1e patron
izingly.
"Of course the president of the bank
had access to the vaults" he said.
"But as you know, Mr.. Courtleigh
Fleming, the late president, was bur-
led last Monday"
Miss Cornelia had seen her niece's
face light up oddly at the beginning
of the Doctors statement-to relapse
into lassitude again at its conclusion.
Bailey-Bailey-she was sure she re-
membered that name on Dale's lips.
dale, dear, did you know this
young Bailey?" she asked, point-blank.
The girl had started to light a Gig
arctic. The flame wavered in her fin
gers-the match went out
"Yes-slightly,' she said She bent
to strike another match, averting her
face. Miss Cornelia did not press her.
"What with bank robberies and boil
shevism and income tax" she said,
turning the subject, "the only way to
keep your money these days is to
spend it."
"Or not have any-like myself! !" the
doctor agreed.
sit seems strange" Miss Cornelia
went on, '1iying in Courtleigh Elem
ing's house. A month ago, I'd never
even heard of Mr.. F1eming-though I
suppose I should have-and now
why, I'm as interested in the failure
of his bank as if were a depositor !"
The doctor>regarded the end of his
cigarette. 49,
"As matter Of fact" he said, pleas
antly, "Dick Fleming had no right to
rent you the property before the es-
tate was settled. He must have done
it the moment he received my telegram
announcing his uncle's DEATH"
"Were you with him when he died?"
"Yes-in Colorado. He had angina
pectoris, and took me with him for
that reason"
81 suppose" pursued Miss Cornelia,
watching Dale out Of the corner of
her eye, shat there is no suspicion
that Courtleigh Fleming robbed his
own bank?''
"Well, if he did," said the doctor
amicably, 81 can testify that he didn't
have the loot with him" His tone
grew more serious. mo! He had
his faults-but not that"
"NIiss Cornelia made up her mind.
She had resolved before not to SUM-
mon the doctor for aid in her diff
culties-but now that chance had
brought him here, the opportunity
seemed too good one to let slip.
Doctor" she said. 81 think 1 ought
to tell you something Last night and
to enter this house. Once an intruder
actuallyH got in and was frightened
away by Lizzie at the top of the STAIR
case" She indicated the alcove stairs.
"And twice I have received anony-
nous communications threatening my
life if I did not leave the house and
go back to the city"
Dale rose from her settee startled.
st didn't know that, auntie! How
dreadful" she gasped.
Instantly Miss Cornelia regretted
her impulse of confidence. She tried
to pass the matter off with tart humor.
Don't tell Lizzie" she said. "She'd
yell like siren. It's the only thing
she does like siren, but she does
it superbly"
For moment 1t seemed as If Miss
Cornelia had succeeded. The doctor
smiled-Dale sat down again, her ex-
preston altering from one of anxietv
to one of amusement. Miss Cornelia