the teller glanced frequently at the
cashier's desk as he counted the bank notes placed in his hand.

"News? No. No news," said Mr. Copeland, without looking up.

"Thank you. It's my business to ask for it, you know. We're making
more of a feature of personal items than ever before. We're up to
date, you see. 'Find out what people want and then give it to them.'
That's our motto." The young man leaned forward over the high railing
that corralled the cashier in his pen apart from the public, smilingly
oblivious of that dignitary's objections to an interview. "Expecting
the return of Elder Craigmile soon?"

At that question, to the surprise of all, the cashier suddenly changed
his manner to the suave affability with which he greeted people of
consequence. "We are expecting Elder Craigmile shortly. Yes. Indeed he
may arrive any day, if the voyage is favorable."

"Thank you. Mrs. Craigmile accompanies him, I suppose?"

"It is not likely, no. Her health demands--ahem--a little longer rest
and change."

"Ah! The Elder not called back by--for any particular reason? No.
Business going well? Good. I'm told there's a great deal of
depression."

"Oh, in a way--there may be,--but we're all of the conservative sort
here in Leauvite. We're not likely to feel it if there is. Good
afternoon."

No one paid any attention to Harry King as he walked out after the
_Leauvite Mercury_ reporter, except Mr. Copeland, who glanced at him
keenly as he passed his desk. Then, looking at his watch, he came out
of his corral and turned the key in the bank door.

"We'll have no more interruptions now," he said, as he paused at the
teller's window. "You know the young man who just went out?"

"Sam Carter of the _Mercury_. Old Billings no doubt sent him in to
learn how we stand."

"No, no, no. Sam Carter--I know him. Who's the young man who followed
him out?"

"I don't know. Here's his signature. He's just made a big deposit on
long time--only one thousand on call. Unusual these days."

Mr. Copeland's eyes glittered an instant. "Good. That's something. I
decided to give the town people to understand that there is no need
for their anxiety. It's the best policy, and when the Elder returns,
he may be induced to withdraw his insane offer of reward. Ten thousand
dollars! It's ridiculous, when the young men may both be dead, for all
the world will ever know."

"If we could do that--but I've known the Elder too long to hope for
it. This depo