Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 162: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

732 THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. ‘There was not a break of any kind; and if both of the cashiers had not been at their posts, the two robberies would have been charged to them. By this time it was noised through the town that both of the banks had been robbed, and a crowd had gathered at each of them. ‘The cashier was busy answering questions at the Montoban, and there were all sorts of opin- ions advanced. Mr. Singerlay went to the Bisnee: it was the first time he had ever put his foot inside of the building ; ; but he was excited, and he was anxious to learn the particulars in regard to the other bank, for he was painfully certain in regard to the details of his own loss. Mr. Pullerton and the officer returned from the residence of Mr. Barkpool soon after he entered the banking room of the Onongo. Although he was not on speaking terms with the cashier, that official invited him behind the counter, from which the crowd were excluded. The double robbery seemed to bring the rival houses together. ‘“Mr. Barkpool was driven to the station at a very early hour this morn- ing, and had gone to the East to obtain an engineer for his mill,’’ said Mr. Pullerton. ‘‘ He does not yet know of the robbery, therefore.’’ ‘““But you ought to telegraph to him on the train, or he will not hear of it till he sees it in the papers,’’ suggested Mr. Singerlay. ‘“ Mrs. Barkpool is coming to the bank soon, and she will attend to that,’’ added the cashier. ‘* Did you find the duplicate keys?’’ ‘“‘T did not; Mrs. Barkpool had seen her husband put them away, but they were not where he had placed them,’’ answered the cashier. ‘‘ But the eeranipeat thing about the whole of it is that Phineas, Mr. Barkpool’s son, is missing.’ ‘His son missing !”’ seaaaee Mr. Singerlay. | ‘‘ Can it be possible? ”’ ‘‘His mother and sister had not seen him this morning ; and when they made inquiries for him, no one had seen him.’’ ‘“Can it be that he and Dolph are together in this miserable business? ’’ said Mr. Singerlay. ‘“We have no doubt now that Phin used the keys, and robbed this bank of its funds,’’ added the cashier. ‘‘ Mrs. Barkpool thinks so also, and she is in the greatest distress.’’ While they were talking about it this lady arrived at the bank. ‘The crowd opened for her, and she passed in behind the counter. She started back when she saw Mr. Singerlay. But misery makes com- panions of fair weather enemies, and he spoke to her as though there had been no break in their intimacy of former years. He advised her what to do, and assured her that their interests were identical in the present unhappy circumstances. She directed the cashier to telegraph to her husband on the train ; and this was really all that could be done. The magnate used the wire again to inform the New York officials that there were two boys of sixteen instead of one, and that the two banks had lost altogether one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. => (E(0) Eomichooks