"O, that was one of his nervous days, and he was much excited."
"What did he place this bag with there—what's there?"
"There's a shelf there; and the day I gave it to Sarah, I had been putting some papers there, and pulled it out, and remembered it."
"Then he wouldn't be apt to see it, to remind him of its being there?"
"No, sir, not unless he stooped down to get something there."
It was evident to me, then, how the broker had forgotten it. We managed to make inquiries enough to satisfy ourselves that the broker was much excited at that time, and that he about the same time had made purchase of some building lots in "East New York," on Long Island, for he speculated in real estate somewhat, and was a pretty close man, and "rich enough," as the young man thought.
We had obtained all the evidence we were likely to, and the young man and I left, he being in ignorance of how and to what end we had gotten that bag there. The next step was to get at the broker. We examined into his real estate, and found the young man right in his judgment—the broker was well off. We laid many plans; and he wanted to secure the money, and it wouldn't answer to do things by halves. Our broker was a desperate man, but a nervous one, and I thought the best way was to take the lion by his mane. So, stalking into his office,—I being well armed,—I invited him into his little back room, having placed the president near the office, to come in a minute after me. I engaged the broker in conversation for half a minute, and then suddenly pulling out the bag, asked him (nodding my head towards the other little front room where the new clerk was); and saying, "No noise, unless you are disposed to make it," I asked,—
"Did you ever see that before, sir?"
He reached his hand for it, turning pale.
"No, I never saw it."