The Argosy, Vol. VII

# Roland Yorke (The Argosy, May 1, 1869)

This serialized chapter from Mrs. Henry Wood's Roland Yorke: A Sequel to "The Channings" concerns a missing cheque at an office run by Bede Greatorex. Roland Yorke, haunted by a past indiscretion—stealing a twenty-pound note and letting Arthur Channing take the blame—becomes defensive when colleague Hurst casually questions whether he took the cheque. Detective Butterby arrives to investigate, replacing the expected Sergeant Jelf. After questioning all four clerks, Butterby determines that Roland, Brown, and Hurst each had opportunity; Jenner did not. Bede then privately tells Butterby to drop the investigation, having received a mysterious letter suggesting the cheque thief is a family member he cannot prosecute. Bede requests Butterby investigate secretly anyway to learn the thief's identity while maintaining appearances before Bede's father.