It was the custom in Evan's bank for the accountant to look after all clearing items on which exchange had been added by other banks. When the clearing men on the machines registered a bill with exchange they laid it aside for the accountant to see. The clearing of that 23rd of May was very heavy, and everybody was rushed.
"Here are your exchange amounts," said Marks, turning his bunch over to Cantel.
"Do you want them now, Nelson?" asked Cantel, "or shall I rush them up to the accountant and give them to you later?"
"Take them up," said Evan, puzzling over a badly-figured cheque, "and wait for them. He's been holding them back lately, and the ledger-keepers are developing claws."
When Cantel came back he had the exchange items, but he seemed thoughtful, and looked askance at Evan.
"Nelson," he whispered, "come here; I've got something coming.... Whose cheque do you suppose Charon kept back for further investigation?"
"Not mine from Creek Bend, was it?"
"You're on."
The cash-book man's face reddened.
"I didn't expect it in for three or four days yet," he said. "Dunn never would do a trick like that on me; he must have misunderstood."