MR. GRAYLOCK MEETS HIS WATERLOO
Mr. Winslow beckoned to Dick to come near his desk, as it happened there
were no customers in front at the time, wishing to make deposits.
By bending down, and talking in a low tone he could say what he wished
without being overheard; indeed, the bookkeeper had called Mr. Payson
over as if to confer with him as to what this unexpected return of the
bank examiner might signify; for although he certainly had nothing to
fear, still it seemed to make him exceedingly nervous.
"What did I tell you, son?" said the teller, with a broad grin on his
face, as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the
president's room.
"Do you really think he has found them?" asked Dick, eagerly.
"The signs all point that way; you noticed yourself that he was carrying
a neat little package under his arm, which he seemed to fondle lovingly;
and if looks count for anything the grin he gave me said 'success' as
plainly as two and two make four. I can see the complete finish of our
tricky friend A. G. Say, I'd give something to see his face when the
old man opens that package before him. It would be better than a
picnic!" exclaimed the teller, enthusiastically.
"Do you think they'll send for Mr. Graylock, then?"
"Surely. It was his fortune that was supposed to be lost, and which has
now come limping home like Little Bo-Peep's sheep; or the prodigal son,
as you please. Oh, yes; they would not think of keeping the poor old
fellow in agony any longer than is necessary. Hark! there goes the
summons for Mr. Goodwyn to cross over and confer with the boss. Told you
so. He's to be taken into the scheme, and have a chance to look happy
again."
Sure enough the cashier did pass into the room of the head of the bank,
and the murmur of voices told that the three were engaged in an animated
discussion.
Payson was still trying to soothe the agitated bookkeeper, who was on
needles and pins because of this surprising second visit from the man he
had believed to be the regular examiner; with Mr. Cheever closeted with
the president, and now the cashier called into conference, there seemed
to be something in the wind that might reflect upon his capacity as a
bank book custodian.
Winslow would have liked easing his mind strain, but he believed it best
not to attempt it until events had shaped themselves so that the whole
truth could be explained.
Just then Dick's bell rang.
"The Morrison luck again," groaned Mr. Winslow; "now you're going to see
and hear the dramatic denouement, while I shall have to be content with
taking it second-hand."
When Dick opened the door and entered the room he found the three
gentlemen sitting around the table, upon which were numerous papers and
packages, as if Mr. Gibbs might have been going over his personal assets
to find out just how hard he had been hit by the failure of Graylock.
Both he and Mr. Goodwyn looked pleased, though they tried hard not to
show it; as for the bank examiner, when Dick shot a look in his
direction, Mr. Cheever gave a very perceptible wink that might stand for
a host of things, though Dick knew very well how to interpret it.
The securities had been found!
In some way the detective had managed to gain access to the Graylock
house, and his search had not been without its reward; evidently
Archibald, never dreaming that any one would suspect him, had not taken
the pains to hide the packet beyond thrusting it into his safe.
And that carelessness was fated to be his undoing.
"Richard, have you noticed Mr. Graylock around this morning; he has not
been in the bank, but you have gone out several times, I believe?"
asked Mr. Gibbs.
"Yes, sir. Only an hour ago I saw him going into the store in company
with the gentleman they say is the assignee in charge of the bankrupt
stock."
"Very well; please go over to the store and ask him to come back with
you; if he demurs tell him it is some very important business that has
to be transacted."
"Yes, sir," and Dick was off like a flash.
He never undertook an errand with more animation, and Mr. Winslow,
watching him from the window smiled broadly when he saw what his
destination must be.
There was a man at the door of the big store, who would not let Dick in
until he declared he was the bank boy, and that he had a very important
message for Mr. Graylock.
He found that gentleman in the offices, with several others around him,
going over the books, explaining what the different accounts meant and
looking most abject and forlorn.
Indeed, Dick must have felt sorry for the man in his seeming distress of
mind did he not know that this was but a part and parcel of the deep
plan which Mr. Graylock was pursuing in order to gull the public; no
doubt when at home and free from observation he was in the habit of
shaking hands with himself because of the clever little dodge he had
played looking to provision for the future.
"Mr. Graylock," said Dick, to attract his attention, for he was busily
engaged in dispute with a severe looking gentleman.
When the bankrupt storekeeper looked up and saw who had spoken he
scowled in a most savage manner.
"Well, boy, what do you want here?" he demanded.
"Mr. Gibbs sent me over to bring you back to the bank, sir."
"I'm very busy just now. Tell him I'll drop in later in the day,"
returned the other, a little mollified when he heard the name of the
bank president.
"He said to tell you that it was a very important matter, and that you
must come now," continued the messenger.
"Oh! well, I suppose I shall have to go. Gentlemen, excuse me for a
short time, please. Perhaps it may be good news; possibly those lost
securities have been discovered; although too late to save me; or it may
be they have some offer to make as a recompense for their disappearance
while in their charge. That would be a good thing for my creditors,
gentleman. A few minutes and I expect to be with you again."
He picked up his hat and walked out of the office, with Dick trotting
along close at his heels; though Mr. Graylock would not deign to notice
him.
When they entered the door of the bank together Dick could see that
every eye became focussed upon them; and as for Mr. Winslow, there was
an expression of actual distress upon his face, as though he realized
that he was about to lose the greatest spectacle of the whole affair in
being debarred from that room when Archibald Graylock was ushered in.
Dick managed to precede the broken-down merchant, and opening the door
allowed him to enter.
He was about to go out himself, when Mr. Gibbs said:
"Don't go, Richard. I may have need of you."
He knew that this was hardly so, and suspected that the president
intended that he should be a witness of what followed; possibly
believing that since Mr. Graylock had done all he could to cast
suspicion on the messenger it was only fair that Dick should be present
at his downfall.
At any rate, the boy was only too glad to have the opportunity, and he
thought Mr. Winslow's assertion regarding his luck must have some basis
after all.
Mr. Graylock looked around him as if surprised that there should be a
stranger present; he had met Mr. Cheever, as a bank examiner, but he
certainly could not understand how the other could have any interest in
his private affairs.
He turned, therefore, with an expression of surprise upon his thin
face, as if he would ask Mr. Gibbs what he might understand by this
gathering.
"Have a chair, Mr. Graylock, please," said the president, and he
certainly looked as solemn as though circumstances had arisen whereby he
felt it necessary, for the honor of the bank, to hand over to the
gentleman the equal of the securities that had so mysteriously vanished
while in the vault of the institution.
Mr. Graylock dropped into a seat and waited; if he was agitated, he did
not show it in his face or manner, as yet.
"I have sent for you, Mr. Graylock," began the president, "in connection
with the securities which you brought to this bank some time ago, and
which were strangely missing from the packet which was handed out when
you demanded them."
"Yes," said the other, licking his dry lips, and fixing his small,
rat-like eyes on the face of Mr. Gibbs, as though he would read there in
advance just what the bank official was about to say.
"I understood you to declare, sir, that it was your positive intention
to devote the proceeds of the sale of those securities to bolstering up
your business; and even yesterday you assured me that if they could only
be found you would of course hand them over to the assignee, to be
devoted to the liquidation of your debts. Am I correct in this surmise,
Mr. Graylock?"
The merchant started, and half rose from his chair as a sudden fear
struck him; then he sank back again with a smile, undoubtedly reassured.
"Such was my intention, Mr. Gibbs; indeed, there could now be no other
course open to me. Have you found them, sir; were they mislaid; or did
some one in your employ take them after all, so that you feel disposed
to make their loss good?" and he had the audacity as he spoke to send a
bitter glance in the direction of the bank boy.
The president frowned, and the look of pity that was beginning to steal
over his face vanished.
"Then, sir, I have a piece of news for you that will undoubtedly bring
you great joy. The missing securities have been found, Mr. Graylock!" he
said, emphatically.
"Impossible!" gasped the wretched man, turning still more pallid.
"Not at all, Mr. Graylock, not at all. If you will take the trouble to
cast your eye over these you will find they are all here save one for a
small figure, which somehow was offered for sale in Boston lately, I
believe you said," and as he spoke the president tossed a little package
upon the directors' table, upon which the eyes of the broken-down
merchant were instantly glued with incredulity and horror.
His crime had arisen like a ghost of the past to confront him.