Year: 1879

No, that is out of the question. |
examined the note again after ] reached
home, and before put my pocketbook
away, to see that no mistake had been
made; found it all right. plain as day in
every letter and figure, and | remember II
us well though it had been yesterday; !
even remember noticing how clear and
bright the ink was; it had kind of red
dish tipgc.


was in the act of handing the pocket
book back to him rs he said this but a
thought suddenly struck me and opened
it again.


Mr.. Campbell, I said, carelessly, do you
remember whether the note was filled out
on a blank form or not?


1t was not; he wrote it out in full him
self, on the top of sheet of (oolscap. and
cut it off with pair of scissors. re-
member everything about it very clearly,
for it was about all had in the world and
to me it was very essential affair.


l examined the slip of white paper for "a
startling idea was already taking shape in
my mind, and perceived that it had been
cut from the top of page of foolscap,
evidently with pair of scissors.


Do you know how you happened to
place this slip of white paper in hereP
asked.


No.l don't remember of placing it there
| might have done so, thinking it would
come handy to figure on.


VIII you let me have it2


Certainly, he replied somewhat surpris-
ed ut my modest request.


Well, / said, as | laid the slip on my
table, and set my inkstand on it. | am
going TO make an effort to recover your
money for you; l shall bring suit against
Bronton at once, and have him summoned
to appear before Judge D.. You can,
of course, swear that you lent him the
money, and that the note he gave you is
missing?


Yes, with clear conscience; | could
not be mistaken about it.


nine o'clock.


will.


He left me, and took up the slip of
paper and examined il closely. 1t seemed
to be nothing but stray fragment of
foolscap, but it occurred to me that it
might have history; it was here that
my chemical knowledge came in play. l
remembered that Alexander Bronton was
chemist and also remembered cer-
tain chemical trick with which | had
often amused myself; remembered that
an ink could be made of analine, iodine of
ammonia, and chloride of zinc, in certain
proportions which had a fresh, reddish
tinge, and that would fade entirely out
within four days. leaving no mark on the
paper. Bronton no doubt knew this
secret, and he had used it to swindle the
mechanic out of his earnings. The more
| considered this subject the more be-
came convinced that such was the case.
The note had boen written with fading
ink


But there was another chemical secret
which probably Bronton did not know, us
| had once discovered it myself by acci-
dent. This treacherous ink, on fading
out, leaves the zinc in invisible atoms in
the paper, so that every line traced with it
may be restored by an application of a
certain solution of iron and hydrate of
calcium. So no sooner had Mr.. Camp
bell left my Office than l hurried out to Il
drug store, where | obtained the solution


Returning to my office 1 saturated Il
piece Of blotting paper with drop of it,
and applied it to a corner of the blank slip
of paper. The result made me jump up
clap my hands, and nearly yell with
delight, for fresh and clear the sign of the
dollar came out. | knew now what hid.
den words the paper contained, and |
placed it in my pocketbook, corked up my
vial-a vial of wrath it was destined to
prove to the worthy Mr.. Bronton and
went Immediately and brought suit against
him for the recovery of the note with
interest and costs.


A few days later Alexander Bronton
stood at the bar of Justice to answer in his
own behalf. 1t seemed so easy case to
him that he did not deem it necessary to
employ any counsel.


Mr.. Campbell swore to the facts he had
related TO me concerning the loan. Mr..
Bronson answered, on oath, that he had
no recollection of ever borrowing any
money from the plaintiff. If he did, where
was the note? He would thank anybody
TO produce it.


Your honor, said I, addressing the judge,
| think | can produce the note in gues-
tiou.


| understood you that it was not to be
found, said Judge D.. somewhat sur
prised.


1t has never been lost, / said, as took
from my, pocketbook the blank slip of
paper and handed it to him. This is it.


hope you are not trifling with the
court, he said, as he glanced at both sides,
and perceived that it was blank.


l am not, your honor. said as |
proceeded ut once to explain to him the
chemical fact have already described.


| watched Alexander Bronton as did
so, and noticed that he turned very pale.
When had concluded, l took from nv
pocket the vial containing the solution
saturated the blotting paper with it and
pressed it upon the blank slip of paper
which lay upon the Judge desk.


A few seconds left it so. then lifted
it up, confident of the result; and was
not disappointed. The blank slip of paper
was suddenly transformed into a promis
sorry note, every word, letter and figure as
clear as sunshine.


1t was note of six thousand dollars
with years interest just due, drawn in
favor of VIM. Campbell, and the signature
of Alexander Bronton was at the bottom
of it.


The Judge gazed in amazement from
the note toward Alexander Bronton, Just
in time to discover that tricky gentleman
skulking away toward the door. At th,
judges order he was brought back by IN
officer, and informed that he would have
something more to answer for than the
amount of the loan, with interest ant
costs.


And so he had. Abashcd and terrified
at the discovery of his unsuccessful swim,
die, and in hopes of propitiating the court
he at once gave his check for the amour
due Mr.. Campbell, and paid the costs
In view of his confession he was lot of
with two years Imprisonment and dom
suppose he will ever dabblc in invisible
ink again.


This, my first case, attracted considera
BILE notice, and have never since had tt
lounge in my Office and yearn for clients