Page:The achievements of Luther Trant - Balmer and MacHarg - 1910.djvu/154

130 fell from Trant's wrist. The dazed old man stood watching Trant, who slowly uncovered and studied the keyboard of the old writing machine.

"What does this mean, Mr. Trant?" Gordon faltered, holding to the door frame for support.

"It means, Mr. Gordon"—Trant straightened, his eyes flashing in full comprehension and triumph—"that you must keep your son in to-night, at whatever cost, Mr. Gordon! And bring him with you to-morrow morning when you come to the bank. Do not misunderstand me." He caught the old man as he tottered. "We are in time to prevent the robbery you feared at the bank. And I hope—I still hope—to be able to prove that your son had nothing to do with the loss of the money for which he was dismissed." With that he left the house.

Half an hour before the bank of Howell & Son opened the next morning, Trant and the acting-president stepped from the president's private office into the main banking room.

"You have not asked me," said Howell, "whether there was any attempt on the bank last night. I had a special man on watch, as you advised, but no attempt was made."

"After seeing young Gordon last night," Trant answered, "I expected none."

The banker looked perplexed; then he glanced quickly about and saw his dozen clerks and tellers in their places, dispatching preliminary business and preparing their accounts. The cashier alone had not