Jacques Futrelle

“ Fraser added: “That would be the height of absurdity; it would never do. Besides, any person who robbed the bank would not carry proofs of the robbery, or even any of the money about with them—to the bank, above all places.”
“The bank would be the safest place for it,” retorted The Thinking Machine. “It is perfectly possible that a thief in your employ would carry some of the money; indeed, it is doubtful if he would dare do anything else with it. He could see you would have no possible reason for suspecting anyone here—unless it is Mr. West.” ”

“ I can't believe it, and of my employees——” began Mr. Fraser.
“Please don't keep saying things are impossible,” snapped The Thinking Machine. “It irritates me exceedingly. It all comes to the one vital question: Who in the bank uses perfume?”
“I don't know,” said the two officials.
“I do,” said The Thinking Machine. “There are two—only two, Dunston, your receiving teller, and Miss Clarke.”
“But they——”
“Dunston uses a violet perfume not like that on the handkerchief, but identical with it,” The Thinking Machine went on. “Miss Clarke uses a strong rose perfume.” ”

“ Among some confusion and wonderment the three women and fourteen men of the bank were gathered in the cashier's office, the outer doors being locked. The Thinking Machine addressed them with characteristic terseness.
“In the investigation of the burglary of last night,” he explained, “it has been deemed necessary to search all employees of this bank.” A murmur of surprise ran around the room. “Those who are innocent will agree readily, of course; will all agree?”
There were whispered consultations on all sides. Dunston flushed angrily; Miss Clarke, standing near Mr. Fraser, paled slightly. ”

“ Nothing! At last there remained three men, Dunston, West and Fraser. Dunston came forward, compelled to do so by the attitude of his fellows. The three women stood together. The Thinking Machine spoke to them as he searched Dunston.
“If the ladies will retire to the next room they may proceed with their search,” he suggested. “If any money is found, bring it to me—nothing else.”
“I will not, I will not, I will not,” screamed Miss Willis, suddenly. “It's an outrage.”
Miss Clarke, deathly white and half fainting, threw up her hands and sank without a sound into the arms of President Fraser. ”

“ There was the faint, clinging odor of violet perfume. Then abruptly, irrelevantly, he turned to Fraser.
“How many women employed in the bank?” he asked.
“Three,” was the reply; “Miss Clarke, who is my secretary, and two general stenographers in the outer office.”
“How many men?”
“Fourteen, including myself.”
If the president and Cashier West had been surprised at the actions of The Thinking Machine up to this point, now they were amazed. He thrust the handkerchief at Hatch, took his own handkerchief, briskly scrubbed his hands with it, and also passed that to Hatch. ”

“ The police tell me this was the work of experts.”
“Have you, Mr. Fraser, attempted to raise, or have you raised lately, any large sum of money?” asked the scientist, suddenly.
“Well, yes,” said the banker, “I have. For a week past I have tried to raise ninety thousand dollars on my personal account.”
“And you, Mr. West?”
The face of the cashier flushed slightly—it might have been at the tone of the question—and there was the least pause.
“No,” he answered finally.
“Very well,” and the scientist arose, rubbing his hands; “now we'll search your employees.” ”

“ Miss Clarke sat apparently calm, and even faintly smiling, but her face was white. The Thinking Machine squinted at her a moment, then turned suddenly to Cashier West.
“Here is the man,” he said, “whose handkerchief was found, but he does not use perfume, has never used it. He is the man who would have had best opportunity to leave unfastened the window in his private office by which the thieves entered the bank; he is the man who would have had the best opportunity to apply a certain chemical solution to the granite sockets of the steel bars, weakening the granite so they could be pulled out ”

“ West's handkerchief was found near the safe. Now, I'll tell you what I have learned. We will begin with President Fraser.
“Against Mr. Fraser is more direct evidence than against anyone else, because in his pocket was found one of the stolen bundles of money, containing ten thousand dollars. Mr. Fraser needed ninety thousand dollars previous to the robbery.”
“But——” began the old man, with deathlike face.
“Never mind,” said the scientist. “Next, Miss Willis.” Curious eyes were turned on her, and she, too, grew suddenly white. “Against her is less direct evidence than against anyone else. ”

“ He lives like a millionaire.”
“He couldn't do that on fifteen thousand dollars a year,” mused the scientist. “Did he inherit any money?”
“No,” was the reply. “He started as a clerk in the bank and has made himself what he is.”
“That means speculation,” said The Thinking Machine. “You can't save a fortune from a salary, even fifteen thousand dollars a year. Now, Mr. Hatch, find out for me all about his business connections. His source of income particularly I would like to know. Also whether or not he has recently sought to borrow or has received a large sum of money ”

“ The Thinking Machine started in, saw a woman—Miss Clarke, who had returned from luncheon—and stopped. There was one thing on earth he was afraid of—a woman. “Bring it out here,” he requested.
President Fraser brought it and placed it in the slender hands of the scientist, who examined it closely by a window, turning it over and over. ”

“ At last The Thinking Machine was satisfied, nearly.
“One thing more,” he said, in conclusion. “Notify the police to look out for William Dineen, professional bank burglar, and his pals, whose names you can get from the newspapers in connection with a bank robbery in Hartford. They are wanted in connection with this case.”
The reporter nodded.
“When Mr. Fraser recovers I intend to hold a little party here,” the scientist continued. “It will be a surprise party.” ”

“ Burton is engaged to Miss Willis. He is ambitious. He recently lost twenty thousand dollars in stock speculation—all he had. He needed more money in order to give this girl, who refused to be searched, a comfortable home.
“Next Miss Clarke, secretary to Mr. Fraser. Originally she came under consideration through the fact that she used perfume, and that Mr. West's handkerchief carried a faint odor of perfume. Now it is a fact that for years Miss Clarke used violet perfume, then on the day following the robbery suddenly began to use strong rose perfume, which smothers a violet odor. ”

“ He found their rooms and searched them, later giving the address to the police.
“Now, why did Miss Clarke tell me that? I considered it in all points. She told me either to aid honestly in the effort to catch the thief, or to divert suspicion in another direction. ”

“ It was care in such trivial details, perhaps, that had a great deal to do with the fact that the Ralston National had advanced from a small beginning to the first rank of those banks which were financial powers. ”