previously acted as our agent in one of the interior
towns, and when he became of age he was offered the place of
paying-teller. Since then his obliging disposition, courteous manners,
and faithful performance of duty, have endeared him to all his
associates, and have given him the confidence of all persons with whom
he came in contact. His character was spotless, and his devotion to duty
was superior to all allurements; he would never sacrifice one moment to
pleasure which should have been given to business."

"Had he any associates among the fast men and women of the place?" I
asked.

"No, sir, not one," was the prompt reply; "we have not been able to
learn that he had any acquaintances even, among that class."

"Well, please proceed to state all the circumstances connected with the
murder," I suggested.

"I was not at home at the time," said Mr. McGregor, "but I can give you
many facts, and Mr. Gordon can add thereto. George was in the habit of
remaining in the bank after office hours for the purpose of writing up
his books, as he acted as book-keeper also. During the very busy
seasons, he would sometimes be kept at work until long after dark,
though this was unusual. Occasionally customers would come to the bank
after the regular hours, and George would accommodate them, or I would
do so, when I was present. We were both very careful about admitting
outsiders after the bank had closed, and we never allowed any one to
enter except well-known business men and old customers of the bank. We
had large sums on hand at times, and George frequently said that we
could not exercise too much care in managing our business. I mention
this to show that he was not careless in his habits, but that, on the
contrary, he always took the greatest precautions against fraud or
violence."

"Were there any customers who were in the habit of coming in late?" I
asked.

"Yes, there were several," replied Mr. McGregor; "for instance, Mr.
Flanders, the jeweler, used to bring over his more valuable jewelry
every afternoon to put into our vault; he would put it into a small box
and leave it here about five o'clock. Then, our county clerk, Mr.
Drysdale, used to stop frequently to make deposits in cases where other
parties had paid money to him after banking hours. He was very intimate
with George, and he used to stop to see him sometimes and walk out with
him after his work was finished. Walter Patterson, also, was one of
George's particu