The Argosy, Vol. XI No. 20 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

318 ‘* That is very creditable to you ; have a duty to me, your employer. ling house ?” ‘* Yes, sir,” answered Grant reluctantly. ‘* I told you, sir, that I had looked in once or twice,” said Benton, ill at ease. ‘* Only once or twice ?” “* Well, I won't be precise as to the number of times,” but you must remember that you Have you seen him enter a gamb- GRANT FOUND IT DIFFICULT ‘* Were you in a gambling house last night 2” “ Yes: I looked on.” ‘* How long did you stay ?” “A few minutes.” ‘* Did you play ?” ‘* No,”? answered Benton hesitatingly. “T wish I knew how much he knows,” thought Benton. oody must have been telling him about me.” ‘“ What, then, was your object in going in?” ‘*T was wakeful, and thought I wal while away a few minutes there. When I felt sleepy, I withdrew.’ Just then Vincent entered, as previously arranged Benwiaen ce and Smithson. ‘* Mr. Vincent,” said the proprietor, ‘ did you see either of my wait- ers in a gambling house last evening ?” ‘“T saw him,” pointing to Benton. ‘* He admits that he went in, but says he did not play.” ‘“ He seems to be forgetful,” said Vincent coolly. ‘' He played fora considerable time, and had a great run of luck.” Benton said nothing. He looked very much discomposed, but waited to see how much Vincent could tell. ‘*So he was a winner ?” ‘* He won nearly five hundred dollars.” ‘© That doesn’t look as if he were the novice he claims to be.” ‘*But he didn’t keep his winnings. He kept on playing till he lost all he had won.” ‘You must remember, sir,’ interrupted Benton, ‘‘that a green hand is often luckier than a practiced gambler.” ‘*So I have heard.” ‘“Some- TO RECOGNIZE IN THE ROUGHLY DRESSED THE ARGOSY ‘“ And if I did play, that doesn’t convict me of having stolen money from your till.” ‘* That Is true.” , ‘‘T was foolish, I admit, and I mean to give up the practice.” ‘* You said you didn't play.” ‘* Because I thought it would make you think I was guilty of theft.” ‘* On that point I have other evidence.” ‘“Whatis it? If Grant says he saw me take anything he lies.” OF THE PLAINS—PfOM COOPER. MINER HIS FRIEND ‘*T have not said it, Mr. Benton,’ ‘Then I should like to know what evidence you can bring against me.” ‘“ Do you remember these two bills ?” asked Vincent, taking out his wallet and producing two five dollar notes, “Well, what about them ?” asked Benton dogged. “T gave you two gold pieces for them last evening.’ “Ves ; I believe you did.” “You took them from the money drawer before you left the restau- rant." ‘That is false !” ‘Do you see the cross in red ink on the reverse side of the bills ?” “Well, what of it ?” ‘'T marked the bills in that way so as to be able to trace them,” Well,” said Benton faintly. ‘They were put into the drawer at three o'clock yesterday afternoon. They must have been taken out some time between that hour and the time when you produced them in the gambling house.”’ ‘*T am the victim of a conspiracy,” said Benton, turning pale, ‘‘Tf it is a conspiracy to put my friend here on your track,” said Smithson, ‘* then you have some color for your statement. Mr. Vincent is an old detective.” Albert Benton was silenced. for him left to say. ‘* Now, Benton,” said Mr. Smithson, ‘‘ how much have you taken from me during the time you have been in my employment ?”’ ‘* Perhaps a hundred dollars,” answered Benton sullenly. ‘Tamvery much mistaken if the amount is not four or five times as great. Are you prepared to make restitution ?” Ingenious as he was, there was nothing EO NOOKS.CO AUC