“And there were only you and Mr. Barnes here in the bank at the time?”
“That’s all,” said Flooks.
“And did nobody come in and go out?”
Upon this point there was a little difference of opinion. The curate believed a person passed out whilst he was speaking to Mr. Flooks. The cashier also thought a man came in and went out again.
When it was discovered that the notes were gone, careful investigation was made by the manager of the bank on the spot, and a search was instituted, which had been considered rather offensive by the receiver; but the money was gone, and here the story ended.
“Have you the numbers and description of the notes, Mr. Flooks?”
“No; I very seldom take any precautions of that kind about notes, because I always make a point of paying all cash into the bank myself.”
Here, it seemed to Bales, was another case as free from a clue to the criminal as that of the murder at Montem. He felt as if his skill were specially challenged, and he resolved at once to delay his return to London.
“You will really not be offended at my meddling in this case?” he said to the Brazencrook chief.
“Not at all—not at all. I question whether Mr. Flooks really put any money on the counter. These professionals, as they call themselves, are up to so many dodges for advertising and all that sort of thing. If he did put any money on the counter, I suppose the fact of a parson condescending to speak to him flurried him, and he forgot where he was, because they have been preaching against his entertainment.”