Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/38

 "About 8:20 o'clock."

"And at what time did you notify Sheriff Wilson?"

Mr. Felton hesitates a moment and glances inquiringly at that official. "It did not seem more than a minute that I spent in the bank. But I was so shocked—and I—and I stopped to gather up the papers on the floor—perhaps it was five minutes before I got to the hotel."

"Did you notice any weapons on the floor of the cashier's room?"

"No, sir."

"What amount of money do you estimate was stolen from the safe?"

President Felton debates a moment, as if making a mental calculation, and replies: "At least $37,000 in currency and gold, and some securities. The exact amount of the latter we cannot tell until we have listed our papers."

"That is all, Mr. Felton."

A suppressed murmur of intense interest runs around the crowded room as Louise Hathaway takes the witness stand. As she raises the veil that has concealed her features the townspeople marveled at the composure her marble countenance evinces. Ashley glances at her with interest and draws a long breath. "Gad! she's a beauty," he decides, and then drops his eyes as they encounter the calm gaze of the witness.

Her father left the house to go to the bank about 6:30 o'clock, Miss Hathaway testifies. Tea was served at 6 o'clock. Her sister Helen had not returned at that time, but at her father's request they had not waited the tea, because he said he had some work to do at the bank. It was an unusual thing for him to go to the bank evenings, but the illness of the teller had necessitated extra work.

"Miss Hathaway, do you know where your sister is?" The silence in the court room is intense as the coroner asks the question.

"My sister did not return that afternoon," declares Miss Hathaway, after a brief pause. "I have reason to think that she has gone with Mr. Ames to be married."