The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-07
CHAPTER XXI


CHAPTER XXI
Drake walked across the lawn and
stopped 10 straighten q row Of sea
shells that bordered O rectangular
flower bed near the drive. 1t had
ben his Aunt Mamie's favorite spot
AL OF her pet plants hourished here
It was looking little withered just
now, but Of course 1t was late Sep
TENDER. He'd get teh place fixed UP
have the house painted and the
low picket fence taken down. There
were really many repairs to be
made. No wonder the house didn't
rent. He had never looked at II
closely before. 1t was dilapidated
chats what 1t was-down-right dill
Apidated.
The lawn was as pretty as any
on Union street. Needed reseed-
. ing, though.
He heard the telephone ringing.
He went slowly and indifferently
toward the house. It was Mr..
Wakefield calling.
"Could you come down here to
he bank for q few minutes2"
why, certainly"
Nothing important. Just want
% see you for second"
BE right down, sir"
Half an hour later he faced Mr..
Wakefield at the cashiers window.
Mr.. Wakefield came back and
unlocked the heavy oak door.
You're overdrawn a little, you
know"
"overdrawn9"
Eyes. Let me see, I think about
eighty dollars, or so, nothing to
speak Of"
"But it ought not be over
drawn"
Mr.. Wakefield smiled. "Do you
keep your checkbook in order2"
Drake grinned. Sometimes I
forget"
wei, I guess that's It,"
But -- could speak to Mr..
Curley?"
Mr.. Curley's in Texas. Went
down on business. I expect him
back next week."
But thought I had more'n q
thousand dollars in my account"
Mr.. Wakefield stared at little.
How could you be that far
or"
I'm sure I'm not"
Mr.. Wakefield smiled again.
Nov, Drake"
mo. Sure enough, Mr.. Wake
field. I haven't been spending any
money-not much. And on the
first Of July there must have been
about a thousand dollars put In"
well, we'll. I see. Drake, I
guess Mr.. Curley Just overlooked
1t. But he's usually very puncttii-
pus, indeed" 4
what about my account?"
"Wel, Wen Ak that up. It's Just
q matter Of a few days. I can ar
range that myself. You won't re-
quire the whole amount, Of
couHse?"
mo, certainly not"
mr.. Curley ought to be back
on Tuesday. I'll call you"
on the way back to his own
window, Mr.. Wakefield stopped to
speak to Percy Davis. They chat
ted for q moment.
''Uum." Mr.. Wakefield grunted
noncommittally, but there was a
slightly troubled look in his eye.
Mr.. Curley was q reticent man,
but he usually discussed such
matters with someone. Mr.. Wake
Eleld tried to recall the terms Of
Rhodes Livingstone's will, but he
was pretty sure that Curley had
An absolute freedom In managing
the estate.
All through the morning Mr..
Wakefield was somewhat distract.
He always walked home to mid
day dinner, leaving the bank ex-
actly at half-past twelve. Today
be left fifteen minutes earlier.
When he returned, Mr.. Wake
neld waited on several customers.
Then he called Percy Davis. Davis
was q round-faced elderly man
who had been In the Farmers Elk
change for many years.
Eyes, sir, Mr.. Wakefield"
"Come on back to the vault with
ne, Percy"
yves, sir"
They entered the vault.
(Which is Mr.. Curley's box?"
Right up there, Mr.. Wakefield,
that brown one"
HAS he another?"
mo, sir. He keeps al Of his
personal papers in there, and the
three-no, four estates he's ex-
ecutor and trustee for"
II see. Hand 1t down here to
ne minute"
Here you are, Mr.. Wakefield -
Rhy-why-"
what, manp What's the mat
ter?"
"why, IT seems very light"
Mr.. Wakefield took the box and
hefted It.
TITS empty"
Davis stared, his little button
mouth making a perfect o.
Mr.. Wakefield spoke casually.
Percy"
eyes, sir. Yes, sir"
There's no use you and me try
ing to fool each other. We've got
to face this In o few hours, any