His cash drawer was unlocked, and even
the big safe stood wide open. Surprise had as effectually lured him
away as if he had been a country bumpkin. Bitterly and breathlessly
did he curse his own precipitancy. His duty was to guard the bank, yet
it had not been the bank that was robbed, but, at best a careless
woman who had failed to pick up her money. He held the check for it,
and the loss, if any, was hers, not the bank's, yet here he was,
running bareheaded down the street like a fool, and now those two
stood quite calmly together, he handing her the money, and thus
spreading a mantle of innocence over the vile trick. But whatever was
happening in the bank, he would secure two of the culprits at least.
The two, quite oblivious of the danger that threatened them, were
somewhat startled by a panting man, trembling with rage, bareheaded,
and flourishing a deadly weapon, sweeping down upon them.
"Come back to the bank instantly, you two!" he shouted.
"Why?" asked the Lieutenant in a quiet voice.
"Because I say so, for one thing."
"That reason is unanswerable," replied the Lieutenant with a slight
laugh, which further exasperated his opponent. "I think you are
exciting yourself unnecessarily. May I beg you to put that pistol in
your pocket? On the cruiser we always cover up the guns when ladies
honor us with their presence. You wish me to return because I had no
authority for taking the money? Right: come along.
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