Show be all right for we trust Mr Rand Rhodes took out his time piece here Tell him that a pile and eald “I have two o’clock flat” thoroughly of them haa been dumped Into the I now noticed that the dial of the stood 1:58:30 market In the past week not Into the market exactly but Strauss' brokers "When did you notice that the had them and loans on them were clock of the was slow?” used to buy Overland Pacific at an “It is slow isn’t it? Why I had foraverage of 87 and when It reached that It was last Monday morngot 161 last Thursday whoever was In ing a week ago I remember I was a this pool began to take profits as little late” replied Rhodes By ROBERT NAUGHTGN nearly as we can tell and closed out ‘Hal any one swept in here since?” the line at an average of 157 Of Rand asked this with his eyes fixed course went 1811 to 136 Overland but she on a dark corner at the heel of the by F a Nelson) (Copyright Is— let me see — let me see he door T was with a tingle “Say Duncan" he said “that is a looked the tape — “Is 206 so who- right “No not In the vault” of exultation that I bit too wild a tale for me A million ever heldat these bonds must have been hank Rand stooped and put his hand Into walked from my of- dollars gone from a outside Strauss’ of It us cost pool without opening It! t the corner For a moment I thought vault fice to the Municipal about three million dollars J R he was picking up the Gee! Why don't you consult that man Bank bearing something but he a Rand Lawrence Rand the fellow who Farrington Smith onthe president of the straightened up and brushed his finknowledge the ahort end of Municipal vwas hard one against the other as If ridsome of has been those bond had In million untying Overland very badly that I know to gers from knots out West Don't you remember my sorrow and furthermore Strauss ding them of dust so I knew If he disappeared had found anything he did not wish the vaults of the the Johnstone mirror poisoning case Is or was his broker" the safe man to know of It bank the night be- and the Rebstock mines affair?” By a short cut and a brisk walk up In a moment he signified he was Is Rand his name? “Yes I do fore The news was I reached the Park Nassau Street found?” Is Where and we left the place and at In to he be the not yet known Row drug store on the minute of the through “Here look him up in the telephone the corner parted with the man from city Before entering A man was in the telehalf hour We walked on toward my Mahler's the book” upon actively and outside Just “Law- phone booth talking office I found him entered there newsdoor was Rand directpractice of law I had been a ' 32088 the I rence Rand “What dw you make of that?” said Special Agent paper reporter and the feeling that ing the queries that the man was an him And made newsPlaza” and I saw that he was Rand suddenly up calling was carrying a story that the The stranger was evidently making for an hour later toward me besomething bolding the man from Mahler’s papers would deluge with red and engagement talking with tween his thumb and forefinger I was ushered Into the reception black Ink was sufficient to thrill me hla factory at Cincinnati room of his apartment by a The small bright object was mereBesides It was my flrBt big case "Well my books show the number I first whom In at a case the a bit of steel young plain ly giant I had come into Is D186N” safe man was saying a negro but as I saw him In “we have notherecord of penny and not as strange way Soon after reaching the thought or thinner than asmall complaints round hole In the the full light and noted his straight On answeroffice my telephone rang '94 Have you any broad with a to back repairs and heavy coppery features I before that?— All center Just a tiny disc of steel ing It a heavy voice with a slightly hair right I’ll hold the was surprised to find he was a “Did you pick that up In the vault?” wire— Hello yes You have nofie at foreign accent spoke as follows: of Indian He was dressed In all Now what “This Is Mr Martin Anderson Is the pattern of the I asked seem clothes did not that compatible Park Just now Mr “Yes out of that dark corner by 196 Gramercy — Neilson patent yes — Well with the rank of a servant the door” George Rhodes who Is In the Municiwho superintended the secret conRand entered with a brisk step a "Well what Is this thing?’’ pal Bank and who Is to marry my struction room when this one was and said frank smile on his keen face called Marie up — “I wish I could answer that quesmade? daughter The old man himself eh?— We sat down In the inner room and that when he opened the vault this Where la Neilson now? — How long tion as easily as you ask it” replied I told him the story of Rhodes and with a million a package morning has he been dead? — Well was his Rand and relapsed Into allenco When I had finished he He Is the bonds dollars In bonds was missing with him In A few minutes after Rand and 'I working for the vault and he told frowned ever so slightly and said "Is 1890?” responsible reached my office the boy entered me to tell Marie that he did not take that all?” exI I been had rather his thought request It but that he withdrew with So I replied a little Now then Mr Dun- plicit for her hand “That seems to cover the rigor: can I don’t care one damn about him ‘but my daughter must not be dragged case" “Do you know whether there is one I want you to go over Into this case to the bank and help him In every night watchman or two? What is the way to be his attorney and then you make of the safe? Have there ever ran see that he keeps his mouth shut been any attempts at robbery of the about Marie I send you my check for bank? Are all of the members of the five hundred this morning and I want bank staff present this morning? Has to know all about what you do at my the president been on the right side of the market for the past year?” Do you take the Job?" house tonight The questions came like shots from Would I take the job? Was ever a He did not wait for gun fee of five hundred dollars disdained a me to answer attorney? a young by struggling We will ask“I see you do not know and I bank When reached the ed or Mr George Rhodes a tall waste no time You are to meet I want you young young Rhodes at lunch chap came forward and took my card to Invite me too for I want to see through the bars A glance over the him” We took a Sixth Avenue train to force of the bank Just preparing to open the work of the day showed me Rector street and at 12:15 chose our in that the fact of the robbery was not seats In a corner compartment We had been at the table a known even to them But It was Haan’s painted plain on George Rhodes’ face moment when Rhodes still very pale me around for looked and and there entered He was pale and haggard were lines about his mouth that told As I Introduced him to Rand I noof worry He took me Into the ante- ticed that the latter after looking the room of the directors’ chamber and I bank clerk full In the eyes a second told him the nature of my business let his gaze play like lightning over and that Mr Anderson had retained Rhodes’ head and features and before weaat down he even Bought a vme to do all ! could for him “Really Mr Duqcan I have thought pretext to step behind Rhodes and the matter over carefully and there look at the back of his head Rhodes was subjected to a severe Is nothing to do” he replied in a dull at once and some of the questioning expressionless way “You surprise me Mr Rhodes" I queries seemed to be anything but said “Hadn’t you better give me the relevant and In sum were meant to facts and let me be the Judge of what make sure that it was impossible for can be done?” any one but Rhodes to take the bonds “The facts are few enough” he at any time the safe was open when and “Who made the vault answered “The bonds were in a package four inches thick They were where?” asked Rand “Mahler In 1890 in Cincinnati" and worth fours "90 government “Hm Is that so — a Mahler vault when entered on the first of the month three weeks ago one million eh? Did I understand you to say the dollars Last night I checked the watchman Is an old Irishman named has been at the bank cash and the books going in to- Hanahan gether with the assistant cashier and twenty years and has considerable How do you know about the receiving teller This is our nlght-'l- property? his over the securities property?" rule We check “When I was on accounts he always In the vault but once a month but on every night and morning I run over had fifteen or twenty thousand the pile If a package were taken out time deposits and drew some large !lt would leave a depression In the pile checks or made heavy deposits when sold or Anderson Mr detected Last be would property bought that easily " might nothing was missing for the for him “Whom did you aay Mr Anderson? pile was perfectly- even across the top and we closed the vault and set The real estate agent who sent Mr the time lock as usual This morning Duncan to see you?" The safe man hung up the receiver with a card It bore the name “Miss He Is turned around and said: “Yes Mr Martin Anderson the time lock was running and the Marie Neilson Anderson” safe absolutely as I left it But when Hanahan’s agent They were old vol"Show her in’’ I said handing the “He aays the man who controlled I went Into the vault and ran my unteer firemen together in Williams- the secret measurements on that set card to Rand hand over the securities I saw at once burg shortly after they came to this of vaults was the patentee of the The office boy then opened the door that a package was missing I check-e- country” and he is dead The meas- to a very pretty young woman ' “Oh Mr! Duncan How do you know that?” urements are sealed and filed off all the packets by my list and "Indeed! she exclaimed The “Well one evening shortly after t patents went to his when I had indicated my identity by found that the ’99 governments were them over three met Marie I went to call on her and who worked with him who sold them receiving her and showing her to a I checked gone times and the result was the same she said her father was not at home outright to the company for a song” sekt )'l have Just had a dreadful It’s up to me to acOf course “What was his name ?” asked Rand that he was down at our bank chatquarrel with father about Mr George as- The count for those bonds ting with ‘Hanahan and having a with disappointment In hla voice and Rhodes I had a letter from Mr slstant cashier and the receiving tell- smoke After the old man had threat- manner Rhodes a terrible letter ssylng he er were with me as usual when I ened to shoot me If I came to the “They have no record and do not wishes to forget me Father declares He was Just a drunken he Is guilty and has forbidden me to opened the vault and checked out the house again I used to watch for Han- remember books and cash and they know It was ahan’s check for every time he drew see him but I must go to him and tell Swede” not touched over night I have not I knew he was expecting to see Mr When I told Rand Just what him that I know he Is Innocent told the cashier of the loss and the Anderson and I would go up to the had happened In Steele’s office and Father told me that you are his attorhouse I never missed It” he smiled slightly and eald: president 1b not down yet” ney" I had been watching him covertly I reassured her to the best of my Rand amlled as If he enjoyed the “Well well the lost bonds or othHe thought as he spoke and 1 felt the conviction humor In the Instance ers have been used as collateral for a ability telling her that Rhodes had he bad over me moment that the a laid: and week past eh and then stealing Farrington Smith not been arrested and advising her to bonds or at least knew where they "Well now if you will go back to was on the wrong side of the market? go home and try to dismiss the matwere the bank I will be over presently ac- I do not think Rhodes will ‘do any ter from her mind with the promise “I beg your pardon Mr Rhodes” companied by a man from the Broad- time’ if he is clever I have learned that It must come out all right "Oh then he has not been arresI said drawing on my gloves “I do way office of Mahler’s and you will that he was a favorite employee of not mean to be brutal but the facts be asked to show us the vault Please Smith’s Let us go over to the ted' she exclaimed in delight do not indicate that you know me" are very much against you" “No” broke In Rand who up to this Municipal” white Ups When Rhodes was gone Rand turnThe tense line Rhodes admitted us to the enclos- point had taken no part in the conInto a sickly smile ed to me quickly and said: “Mr Dunure and according to Rand’s previous versation “And with the information I am not can kindly “Yes the facts— I know go over to Mr Robert instructions gave ue no sign of that you have unconsciously given office In Wall recognition Rand and the man from me I can almost promise In a position to resent being remin- Steele in Hargan’a that he ded of them But I have made up my Street and tell him I sent you Ask Mahler’s examined carefully the in- never will b§” and he glanced at her him whether any government fours of terior of the electrically lighted vault mind to tell the cashier-card “See here Rhodes” I said with ’90 have been in evidence In the mar- The place was in perfect order and “By the way how old are you Miss sudden determination “I’m going to ket recently Meet me In half an the lock responded repeatedly to the Anderson?” Is I can hour matter booth what Rand in touch at this there skilled in had the the do She did not seem to mind the blunt telephone been standing still looking carefully any reason why it will become known Park Row drug store” question and replied quickly: I hurried to the office of the great at everything within “I am as a matter of course?” range of his "The first of the month a week firm of Hargan & Company and sent keen eyes “Were you born In this country?” will be the triple In my card to Mr from tomorrow he pulled out his watch Steele with "Yes I was born in New York" Suddenly cbeching-utime” that Is all” "through Mr Rand” on the corner I looked at the dial of the "Thank you kindly then at his watch then at the bank said Rand and was promptly so deep “Very well Just you hold off this was ushered In immediately “Mr Steele I was sent here by Mr clock an electrically regulated affair In thought that he barely rose and morning anyhow Meet me at Haan's Rand to inquire whether there have hung on the wall The clock read 2 bowed as she left a few minutes latat 12:16’ been any 90 government fours on the p ra to the second Good morning" “All right er He kept his feet and put on his "I beg pardon” said Rand to hat aa If be too were going I related the case to Betts my market in more than the usual quanI reached the office and tity recently?” Rhodes "What time is It by your “I believe you told me that you partner when "Since Mr Rand sent you It must watch?” he laughed Incredulously: were to go to Anderson'a house to- - TME $1000000 BOND JOBBERY that night and report” he eald "I should like to go with you I will meet you at the northwest comer of Gramercy Park at eight o’clock 'Will you b so kind as to bring young Rhodes with 'Phone him at the bank now you and you might come prepared for anything In the way of a fight for— we will close up the case tonight” He shut the door and went out That evening Rhodes met me by appointment at the Fifth Avenue Hotel and we walked over to the corner Rqnd had named We had been standmoment when a carriage drove up stopped and Rand alighted’ followed by J R Farrington Smith and the brawny Indian I could see by the street light that Smith was very white and the Indian kept Juat at hla elbow and a little behind him as they advanced to meet us Rand presented me to Smith If Smith who bowed coldly and Rhodes exchanged salutations I did not notice It A few minutes later we were In Anderson’s library with the heavy massive Jawed rpal estate man looking curiously at Smith Rhodes and myself whom he knew and at Rand whom I had Introduced The Indian whom I scarcely knew how to consider whether companion of Rand’s or his servant had stepped back Into the shadow by the portieres Rand left me In no uncertainty as to explaining the awkward situation He me by drawing gracefully superseded back a chair at a small table In the center of the room In the full glow of the shaded light and saying: here "Would you mind sitting I shall want please Mr Anderson you to write something In a ‘moment and it will be more convenient” Anderson sat down as requested and turned his face toward Rand aa if ing there a from table disc hi rert pocket and laid on tho Anderson the little ateel before Before Rand could speak the portieres parted and In the opening stood Marie Anderson very white and drawn up to her full height In one hand she extended the packet with the typewritten Blip still on the end “Father" she said slowly In a low tense voice “here are the bonds By accident I Just found them In a Jar on the sideboard” AnderWith surprising quickness son drew out a drawer in the table at which he sat snatched up a revolat Rand who ver and fired point blank had vaulted the table to reach him But the Indian was before him and knocked the muzzle of the up revolver from behind The bullet struck the celling and the next Instant Anderson was on the floor helpless In the bearlike clasp of the big red man “Take the gun away from him and him on the chair again Tom” aald Rand as if nothing had happened He returned to his own seat and we too sat down In fifteen seconds the smoke floating about the celling was the only Rand sign of the crisis Just passed began again: “In order tot give you an opportunity to recover your composure before you begin writing Mr Anderson and to prevent your indulging in any more foolish lieB I will tell you the evidence against you Yoa helped Neilson make the your on the vault ordered for the Municipal Bank In 1890 You Inserted In the Journal of the main standard' of the clock works a steel disc Instead of a brass one knowing that the steel against steel would make a friction that would wear out both in several years’ time Ry means of a second accurately duplicated and which If I am not mistaken la ticking away in that black box on the mantel behind you you were able to tell very nearly the very hour when you could turn back the bolts of the Municipal vault without let or hindrance When your died you sold his patents to the company returned to New Yok and began to live for the hour when you could help yourself to whatever you wished You stopped drinking and settled down You went Into the real estate business because you could obtain In that manner a permanent hold on Hanahan the watchman at the Municipal whom you already knew When you found that about the time you were ready to make your haul George Rhodes would be the young man in charge of the vault you called him to the house on a pretext and made him acquainted with your daughter and encouraged his visits that you might get from him In your chats bit by bit knowledge of Just what to put your hand on In the short time you were In the vault and how to conceal the theft long enough for you to convert the securities Your one mistake was In giving so flimsy a pretext to Mr Duncan for him calling him up and retaining What you really wanted was to be ahle to have constant Information Mr so from Duncan that you would always know how close he was on the track of the real thief Few men pay attorneys $500 retaining fees to persuade young men who really love their daughters from dragging them into a scandal which does not essentially concern the daughters at best ‘On 8unday night a week ago you went to the bank as your duplicate showed you the steel disc was worn so thin a Jar on the door would cause the standard to drop and the lock to release Hanahan as he told me an hour ago went across the street for some tobacco that Sunday In night leaving you in' the bank ninety seconds you had opened the vault taken the right packet opened the case of the replaced the disc with a brass one closed the ease and closed the vault but— you carelessly dropped this worn disc on the set he knew where the power lay I could floor! aee the arteries In hla neck throb“You used the bonds as collateral I noticed that Rhodes was very bing to buy stock not as a speculation pale but as an Investment that would concon‘Now to be brief gentlemen” tinued Rand in a soft even voice ceal the bonds and by chance chose Overland Pacific at a low figure and “we are about to adjust this matter It rose You thought best to take of the disappearance of a million dolyour profits and only your greed prelars’ worth of bonds from the vault of vented you from returning the bonds the Municipal Bank to Rhode by mall You hid the “Mr Anderson will kindly youturn over to Mr Smith that packet of bondd In a Jar Just like a foolish old woman Mr Smith does not wish to ’90 government fours Mr Smith will prosecute you and expose his specuYou will give you a receipt in full also give Mr Smith your order on lations Since Mr SmitH and Mr Strauss A Company for four hundred Duncan doubtless have other engagethousand dollars which Is approx- ments tonight kindly write as I requested a few minutes ago” imately what Mr Smith lost when Muttering objurgations In his nacaught ahort on Overland Pacific ten tive tongue Anderson wrote the two days ago and also your order to Mr drafts Rhodes’ being for more than George Rhodes for the remainder of hundred one thousand and both went when your profits you long on Rhodes and Smith receipted Overland Pacific this last week by Smith took the bonds and thrust them Into using the Municipal Bank as an pocket Miss Anderson voluntary partner You will also give his overcoat your consent to his marriage with refused to remain an hour longer unyour daughter Mr Duncan here will der her father’s root and left the arrange the matter of fees and that house to go to the home of a distant relative I pocketed the odd little will close the Incident If you do not Mr Smith will prosecute you and I steel disc which lies before me as I write with a slip copied from a page will furnish the evidence If Mr Smith does not perform his shaft I of Rand' notebook thjt lays out so plainly and simply his quick sure and will in behalf of Mr Rhodes Inform the bank directors of his hand in unerring process In this remarkable case that I canont refrain from givOverland Kindly do as I have reMr Anderson” ing It quested The old fellow never changed color VIV Anderson's retaining Duncan one whit nor did the throbbing of the V2) Rhodes’ cranium shows moral arteries in his neck Increase capacity for theft Innocent 3) Nellson’s ’Vot iss dlss nonsense Meester4 could know look construction sputtered the (4) Smith lost speculating Thief won million with bonds old man In broken English a hitter half 80 sec Sunday night lost (5) sneer coming over his face "Vot a week before discovered liddle scheme bote Ah don’t (6) Disk of steel Instead brass Meant out wear to Is discarded of lock no mohney baycoss Ah alndt Must be a new disk In lock part Work for got dey bonts-- —” Prepared since making of lock pert Marie Nielson Anderson (7) Rand held up a forefinger and’ the f8) Anderson was alone In bank 8 ruin old man stopped He was now breathSunday night of robberv Anderson guilty Proved and ing bard and was flushed Rand drew Adjusted no proceedings by I n ' at’ eonfel |