an interested spectator, emptied the contents of the third
upon the table and placed the empty box aside.
Mr. Bond searched through the pile a few minutes and
then suddenly exclaimed "They are gone. The advertise
ment is too true. $200,000 worth or more have been stolen."
The other members of the firm were called in and after
a careful examination had been made, they agreed to employ
the detective in the case.
On the second day after the robbery, Mr. Smith called
again at the bank. ''What success?" asked Mr. Bond. "Pair"
he replied, "I have located the property, but we have a crafty
rascal to deal with."
"Make any terms you please, only recover the bonds be
fore the fact of the robbery becomes public."
"The robber demands twenty per cent. or $40,000 for the
return of the bonds, and wants a written agreement swear
ing that you will not prosecute."
"That is hard to do," said the banker, "but if it is the
only thing then we will'agree to it."
An agreement was drawn up and signed by the banker.
"I suppose you have the amount of the reward at hand,"
the detective continued.
"You want the money now?"
"Certainly, the people with whom we are dealing. will
take no chances."
The amount was given him and he handed the banker a
package saying, "I think all 'of the bonds are there."
Mr. Bond counted them and found them correct, and Mr.
Smith smiled, and quietly left the bank.
A few minutes later the junior member rushed into the
room pale with excitement. "Where is he? Stop him! Don't
let him escape. That man was not a detective, but the
greatest bank robber of the century."
They rushed out into the the street. But John Smith,
detective, had disappeared in the surging crowd on the pave
ment. H., 'O3.