1917 Cedrus Yearbook

19 17 "All right! I'll come!" he shouted and hung up the receiver. What could he do to arouse his house-hold and the servants without taking nearly all of his seven minutes? While in the act of doing so, a cab pulled up. He got in and was whirled to the bank. A glance around showed Mason that the bank was still unwrecked,so it looked as tho' he had arrived on time. Being afraid to enter, Mason tho't it best to wait outside, Neither burglar nor explosion came to reward his caution, however,and curiosity getting the better of him, he telephoned the police, and upon their arrival, after explaining to them that he was the one who sent in the call, they all entered the room. In the center of the room lay the door of the safe where it had fallen when blown open. The money and valuables were missing. Evidently it had been a deliberate job, where every paper was examined and its value carefully determined. "And only to think,"exclaimed Mason,"thatthey did it all in thefew minutes I was coming from my house here! I'm certain they were gone before I arrived." "Nonsense," said the chief. "My opinion is that the safe was blown and the job done when they called you. They were off as rapidly as you were, after they once got you started. Strange though, that they went to the trouble of sending that cab for you if they hadn't some other object." Just then the telephone rang again with a suddenness that gave them all a start. "Hello! Who is this?" answered Mason. "Is this Mr. Mason's bank?" "It is. What's wanted?" "Well this is your residence. I just wanted to tell you that we had a little business here which we tho't could be .done better in your absence. We wanted you to take a little trip and felt sure you would manage to take the police along with you. We are all three here now and have managed not to disturb your family in the least. You and the police may return when you are ready. Thanks, good-bye." John Mason and the officers looked at each other in blank astonishment for a full minute, then the chief exclaimed; "Well,that was a slick job!" "It certainly was," replied the crestfallen John Mason as he turned out the lights and walked thru' the door. REBECCA MARSH '20. 45