Part 36 (1/2)
”You're early, this morning, my lad,” he said, pleasantly. ”Have you got some more money to deposit? You'll be getting rich, soon.”
”I don't know about that,” said d.i.c.k. ”My bank-book's been stole.”
”Stolen!” echoed the cas.h.i.+er. ”That's unfortunate. Not so bad as it might be, though. The thief can't collect the money.”
”That's what I came to see about,” said d.i.c.k. ”I was afraid he might have got it already.”
”He hasn't been here yet. Even if he had, I remember you, and should have detected him. When was it taken?”
”Yesterday,” said d.i.c.k. ”I missed it in the evenin' when I got home.”
”Have you any suspicion as to the person who took it?” asked the cas.h.i.+er.
d.i.c.k thereupon told all he knew as to the general character and suspicious conduct of Jim Travis, and the cas.h.i.+er agreed with him that he was probably the thief. d.i.c.k also gave his reason for thinking that he would visit the bank that morning, to withdraw the funds.
”Very good,” said the cas.h.i.+er. ”We'll be ready for him. What is the number of your book?”
”No. 5,678,” said d.i.c.k.
”Now give me a little description of this Travis whom you suspect.”
d.i.c.k accordingly furnished a brief outline sketch of Travis, not particularly complimentary to the latter.
”That will answer. I think I shall know him,” said the cas.h.i.+er. ”You may depend upon it that he shall receive no money on your account.”
”Thank you,” said d.i.c.k.
Considerably relieved in mind, our hero turned towards the door, thinking that there would be nothing gained by his remaining longer, while he would of course lose time.
He had just reached the doors, which were of gla.s.s, when through them he perceived James Travis himself just crossing the street, and apparently coming towards the bank. It would not do, of course, for him to be seen.
”Here he is,” he exclaimed, hurrying back. ”Can't you hide me somewhere? I don't want to be seen.”
The cas.h.i.+er understood at once how the land lay. He quickly opened a little door, and admitted d.i.c.k behind the counter.
”Stoop down,” he said, ”so as not to be seen.”
d.i.c.k had hardly done so when Jim Travis opened the outer door, and, looking about him in a little uncertainty, walked up to the cas.h.i.+er's desk.
CHAPTER XXIII
TRAVIS IS ARRESTED
Jim Travis advanced into the bank with a doubtful step, knowing well that he was on a dishonest errand, and heartily wis.h.i.+ng that he were well out of it. After a little hesitation, he approached the paying-teller, and, exhibiting the bank-book, said, ”I want to get my money out.”
The bank-officer took the book, and, after looking at it a moment, said, ”How much do you want?”
”The whole of it,” said Travis.