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he entered the bank； a messenger stopped him。
〃Mr。 Clymer is waiting for you in his private office； sir；〃 he said； and
led the way past the long rows of mahogany counters and plate glass
windows to the back of the bank； finally stopping before a door bearing
the name； in modest lettering… BENJAMIN AUGUSTUS CLYMER。 The
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bank president was sensitive on one point； he never permitted initials only
to be used before his name。 The messenger's deferential knock was
answered by a gruff command to enter。 Clymer welcomed Kent with an
air of relief。
〃You know Colonel McIntyre；〃 he said by way of introduction； and
Kent became aware that the tall man lounging with his back to him in one
of the leather covered chairs was Barbara's father。 Colonel McIntyre
returned Kent's bow with a curt nod； and then Clymer pushed forward a
chair。
〃Sit down； Kent；〃 he began。 〃You have already handled several
confidential affairs for the bank in a satisfactory manner； and I have sent
for you to…day to ask your aid in an urgent matter。 Before I go further I
must ask you to treat what I am about to say as strictly confidential。〃
〃Certainly； Mr。 Clymer。〃
〃Good！ Then draw up your chair。〃 Clymer waited until Kent had
complied with his request。 〃You have heard of Jimmie Turnbull's sudden
and tragic death？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃As you know； he was cashier of this bank。〃 Clymer spoke with
deliberation。 〃Soon after word reached here of his death； the vice…
president and treasurer of the bank had a careful examination made of his
books and accounts。〃 Clymer paused to clear his throat； he was troubled
with an irritating cough。 〃Turnbull's accounts were found in first class
order。〃
〃I am sure they would be； Mr。 Clymer；〃 exclaimed Kent warmly。
〃Any one who knew Jimmie would never doubt his honesty。〃
McIntyre turned in his chair and regarded the speaker with no friendly
eye； but aside from that； took no part in the conversation。 Clymer did not
at once resume speaking。
〃To…day；〃 he commenced finally； 〃Colonel McIntyre called at the bank
and asked the treasurer； Mr。 Gilmore； for certain valuable negotiable
securities which he left in the bank's care a month ago。 Mr。 Gilmore told
Colonel McIntyre that these securities had been given to Jimmie Turnbull
last Saturday on his presentation of a letter from McIntyre requesting that
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they be turned over to the bank's cashier。 McIntyre expressed his
surprise and asked to see the letter 〃 … Clymer paused and took a paper
from his desk。 〃Here is the letter。〃
Kent took the paper and examined it closely。
〃This is perfectly in order；〃 he said。 〃A clear statement in Colonel
McIntyre's handwriting and on his stationery。
For the first time Colonel McIntyre addressed him。
〃The letter is in order；〃 he acknowledged； 〃and written on my
stationery； but it was not written by me。 The letter is a clever forgery。〃
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CHAPTER V
THE VANISHING MAN
It still lacked twenty minutes of nine o'clock that night when Harry
Kent turned into the Saratoga apartment hotel； and not waiting to take one
of the elevators； ran up the staircase to the apartment which had been
occupied jointly by Jimmie Turnbull and Philip Rochester。 Kent had
already selected the right key from among those on the bunch he had
found in Rochester's desk at the office； and slipping it into the key…hole of
the outer door； he turned the lock and walked noiselessly inside the dark
apartment。
The soft click of the outer door as it swung to was hardly noticeable；
and Kent； pausing only long enough to get his breath from his run up the
staircase； stepped into the living room and reached for the electric light
switch。 Instead of encountering the cold metal of the switch his groping
fingers closed over warm flesh。
Startled as he was； Kent retained enough presence of mind to grasp the
hand tightly； the next second a man hurled himself upon him and he gave
back。 Furniture in the path of the struggling men was overturned as they
fought in silent desperation。 Kent would have given much for light。 He
strained his eyes to see his adversary； but the pitch darkness concealed all
but the vaguest outline。 As Kent got his second wind； confidence in his
strength returned and he redoubled his efforts； suddenly his hands shifted
their grip and he swung his adversary backward； pinning him against the
wall。
A faint； sobbing breath escaped the man； and Kent felt the whole
figure against which he pressed； quiver and relax； the taut muscles of chest
and arms grew slack； collapsed。
Kent stood in wonderment； peering ahead； his hands empty … the man
had vanished！
Drawing a long； long breath Kent felt his way back to the electric
switch and pressed the button； lighting both the wall brackets and the table
lamps。 With both hands on his throbbing temples he gazed at the over…
turned chairs； they； as well as his aching throat； testified to his encounter
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having been a reality and not a fantastic dream。 His glance traveled this
way and that about the room and rested longest on the opposite side of the
room where he had pinned the man to the wall。 Wall …！ Kent leaned
against a tall highboy and laughed weakly； immoderately。 He had pushed
the man straight against the door leading into Rochester's bedroom； and
not； as he had supposed； against the solid wall。
The man had been quick…witted enough to grasp the situation； his
pretended weakness had caused Kent to relax his hold； a turn of the knob
of the door； which swung inward； and he had made his escape into the
bedroom； leaving Kent staring