“Would there be no entry they would make in your books? Wouldn’t they be aware of the transaction in that way?”
“I always keep my own books.”
“How did you pay these bills?”
“In bank notes.”
“Did you keep the numbers?”
“Yes;” and the witness handed them in.
“Have the notes been traced?” asked the magistrate.
“Yes, sir. I’m going to call evidence,” replied the prosecuting solicitor.
A bank clerk next proved the opening of an account by a Mr. Everard Clarke, who had given references. They had communicated with the references given, and had received satisfactory replies. All the notes had been paid in by Mr. Clarke. In each case the bulk of the money had been withdrawn in gold shortly afterwards, but not all in one sum. The account was now practically closed. Their own charges would more than absorb the small remaining balance. They had since tried to trace Mr. Clarke, but the address he had given had proved fictitious, and the same with his references—these, it was now found, having been written from accommodation addresses.
“Could he recognise Mr. Clarke?”