The best short stories of 1918, and the yearbook of the American short story
General
The best short stories of 1918, and the yearbook of the American short story
American fiction -- 20th century; Short stories -- 20th century -- Bibliography; Short stories -- 20th century -- Indexes; Short stories, American
A woman asserted that on Friday afternoon she had seen Holt driving an
automobile between Vernon and St. Clair. This appearance near St. Clair
was supposed to be merely a blind, however. In fact our able chief of
police had proof that Holt was not headed north, in the direction of St.
Clair, but south, beyond Wanagoochie—probably for Des Moines or St.
Louis. It was definitely known that on the previous day Holt had left
his car at Wanagoochie, and with their customary thoroughness and
promptness the police were making search at Wanagoochie. The chief had
already communicated with the police in cities to the south, and the
capture of the man could confidently be expected at any moment. As long
as the chief appointed by our popular mayor was in power it went ill
with those who gave even the appearance of wrongdoing.
When asked his opinion of the theory that the alleged fugitive had gone
north the chief declared that of course Holt had started in that
direction, with the vain hope of throwing pursuers off the scent, but
that he had immediately turned south and picked up his car. Though he
would not say so definitely the chief let it be known that he was ready
to put his hands on the fellow who had hidden Holt’s car at Wanagoochie.
When asked if he thought Holt was crazy the chief laughed and said:
“Yes, he’s crazy two hundred thousand dollars’ worth. I’m not making any
slams, but there’s a lot of fellows among our gentlemanly political
opponents who would go a whole lot crazier for a whole lot less!”
The president of the bank, however, was greatly distressed, and strongly
declared his belief that Holt, who was a favorite in the most sumptuous
residences on the Boulevard, besides being well-known in local dramatic
circles, and who bore the best of reputations in the bank, was
temporarily out of his mind, as he had been distressed by pains in the
head for some time past. Meantime the bonding company, which had fully
covered the employees of the bank by a joint bond of two hundred
thousand dollars, had its detectives working with the police on the
case.
As soon as he had read the paper John took a trolley into Vernon and
called on the president of the bank. John’s face drooped with the sorrow
of the disgrace. The president received him. John staggered into the
room, groaning: “I have just learned in the newspaper of the terrible
news about my brother. I have come—”
“We hope it’s just a case of aphasia. We’re sure he’ll turn up all
right,” insisted the president.
“I wish I could believe it. But as I have told you, Jasper is not a good
man. He drinks and smokes and play-acts and makes a god of stylish
clothes—”
“Good Lord, that’s no reason for jumping to the conclusion that he’s an
embezzler!”
“I pray you may be right. But meanwhile I wish to give you any
assistance I can. I shall make it my sole duty to see that my brother is
brought to justice if it proves that he is guilty.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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