Blind brothers

II I

Gil Hammond knocked rather decisively on the door marked “Dean of Engineering,’’ and was admitted by a small, sharp-eyed professor.

“Come in, Mr. Hammond/’ invited the little man. He motioned to a chair. There were about a dozen other men seated in the office, all of them members of the university faculty. The Dean of Engineering sat behind his desk. Gil glanced about the room at the various pro¬ fessors, all of whom were well known to him, some of them his personal friends. They were all regarding him curiously. Their critical glances made him feel uncomfortable.

The Dean spoke:

“You are aware of the reason for this meet¬ ing, I take it, Mr. Hammond !” he inquired.

“Yes, sir; I suppose it is to investigate the loss of the funds from the Pelican safe,” Gil replied.

“You are correct / 9 returned the Dean. Ad¬ dressing the group, he continued:

“Gentlemen, I have called you together to deal with a very unpleasant situation. Mr. Hammond, as you all know, is student-manager of the Pelican. He reports to me that there is a deficit of two hundred dollars in the proceeds of the California-Washington game, which funds Mr. Caldwell, who is manager of the baseball team, gave to Mr. Hammond to place in the safe in the Pelican office, until the funds could be deposited in the First National Bank the following Monday, which is today. As you gentlemen know, the banks were all closed on Saturday afternoon.

“As Mr. Caldwell was leaving yesterday with the team, on its northern trip, he asked Mr. Hammond to deposit the funds for him. Mr. Hammond states that when he came to re-check the cash at the bank this morning he found it to be two hundred dollars short of the amount called for on the memorandum given him by Mr. Caldwell. He also states that when he checked the funds, upon receiving them from Mr. Caldwell, that his count tallied with the memorandum. As the original count was made in the gymnasium, in the office of Dr. Harper, and in the presence of several witnesses, there can be no grounds to suppose that he made a miscount. And as Mr. Hammond further states that he did not open the box containing the funds, from the time he received them until he reached the bank this morning, the possibil¬ ity of their being mislaid is also eliminated.

“We are forced to arrive at the conclusion that someone has entered the Pelican office and taken the funds.’ ’

The Dean turned to Hammond.

“Has any person, other than yourself, had access to the Pelican safe since Saturday after¬ noon, Mr. Hammond V 9

*‘ To the best of my knowledge no one has had access to the safe since Saturday afternoon,” replied Hammond. “No one else knows the combination except my roommate, Lester Fowell, who was in San Francisco over the

II week-end. Lester is editor of the Pelica/n, as you gentlemen know.”

“You say that you placed the money in the safe yourself, Mr. Hammond?” asked the Dean.

“Yes. The money was in packages of bills— tens and twenties—and in silver. All these were in a tin box. I placed the box inside the safe and locked it myself, Saturday afternoon, about five-thirty.”

“Was anyone with you at the time?”

“No, sir; Lester Powell saw me receive the money from Pat Caldwell, but he did not go with me to the office. We were with some ladies. Powell and the others waited for me on the campus.”

“Did you go to the office at any time after leaving the money ? ’ ’

“No, sir. I spent the week-end in San Fran¬ cisco at the home of Lester Powell. I returned to Berkeley Sunday night. * 1

“Did Mr. Powell also return Sunday night?”

“No. He returned this morning, after I had already opened the safe. Of course, any sug¬ gestion that he had anything to do with the affair is ridiculous, sir. ’’

“H—m,” grunted the Dean, glancing mean¬ ingly at the little professor who had opened the door. “No one has suggested Mr. Powell as a possible culprit, I believe. By the way, Mr. Hammond , 91 he continued, ‘ ‘ have you any proof of the fact that you went directly to your room Sunday night, after your return from San Francisco ? 9 y

Hammond looked nonplussed for a moment.

“N—o, sir”; he hesitated. “I went directly to my fraternity house. All of the fellows were out at the time, or at least I didn’t see any of them. I worked for an hour or so and then went to bed. It must have been ten-thirty when I arrived. I don’t know just when I went to bed, sir.”

“H—m. I see. You did not mention the fact that you had left the money in the safe, to any¬ one, I suppose?”

“No. I didn’t give the incident much thought, sir. Of course I had no idea that any difficulty would arise. I considered depositing the funds in the University vault, but the busi¬ ness office, as you recall, was closed on Saturday afternoon. There was no one to open the vault. ’ ’

The Dean once more addressed the assembled professors.

“The two stories seem to coincide in regard to Mr. Powell,” he said. Turning to Hammond, he continued:

“Have you any theory as to the possible solu¬ tion of the theft, Mr. Hammond?”

“None whatever, sir. The safe had evidently been opened by someone w 7 ho knew, or who did not need to know, the combination. It is a sub¬ stantial safe, but not very modern. An experi¬ enced safe-breaker wouldn’t have had a lot of trouble opening it, I imagine. The safe was locked, just as I left it Saturday night, when I re-opened it this morning, sir.”

‘ ‘ Then you think that a common burglar must have been the guilty person, Mr. Hammond? Do I understand that you wish to advance that theory ? ’ ’

Hammond hesitated.

“I had no intention of advancing any theory, sir. It seems to be the only possible explana¬ tion, as Powell and I, who were the only persons who knew the combination to the safe, were in San Francisco at the time of the re¬ moval of the money.”

“How do yon account for the fact that only two hundred dollars were taken by the thief?”

“I don’t account for it. It looks as though someone had needed that amount very badly, and did not care to take more. It’s a mystery to me, sir.”

“H—m. I see. Mr. Hammond, I shall have to ask you to step into the outer office for a few minutes, while the committee considers your statements.”

Hammond arose and passed into the outer office. He was surprised to see his roommate, Lester Powell, seated by the table. As Powell had not returned from San Francisco until that morning, Hammond had not seen him since the day before.

“How are you, Old Man?” Powell asked. “Have they been razzing you? I met Doc Had¬ ley, the damned old question mark, on the cam¬ pus this morning, and he dragged me in for an hour’s seance. It was hell. Thought the old shyster was trying to hang it on to me. But I didn’t give him much satisfaction if he was. Wjhat did they ask you?”

“Not very much; just the details. I don’t see how they can connect either of us with it. We were both in the city over the week-end. The only thing that worries me is that none of the fellows were at the house when I returned last night. ’ ’

“You mean that you can’t prove where you were after you left ’Frisco?”

“No; I came straight to the house, but none of the fellows were in. That might happen any time though. I don’t think that they have any grounds for suspecting me. My record has been pretty clean, you know. Dr. Hadley trusts me and I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t believe that I have been mixed up in it. Of course, he has to do what he can to get to the bottom of the affair. I don’t blame him for that.”

‘‘But it isn’t Doc Hadley that you have to convince; it’s that damned, gimlet-eyed, psy¬ chology fossil of a Martin. Did he question you ?’ ’

“No; only Dr. Hadley. I don’t think that thero is any reason for us to worry, Les. Of course I’m all cut up about it, but since neither of us could possibly have had anything to do with it, I can’t see any use in worrying.”

“I’m worrying. You don’t know Martin. He’s a devil. Thinks that he can work his psy¬ chology stuff, and read your face. He’s a sneaking—”

The door opened and the Dean beckoned them to re-enter. Hammond took his former seat. Powell was given a chair beside him. Dr. Mar¬ tin, the little psychology professor, moved his chair in front of them and addressed Powell in low even tones.

“Mr. Powell, you and Mr. Hammond are fra¬ ternity brothers, I believe?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Mr. Hammond is an intimate friend of your family, is he not, Mr. Powell?”

“Yes, sir; Gil and I have known each other since we were kids. ’ ’

Dr. Martin smiled. “Thank you,” he said, turning to Hammond.

“Mr. Hammond,” lie began, speaking very courteously, “you will pardon a few personal questions, I hope?”

“Go ahead, Doctor,” Gil replied.

“You are assisting in the Geology Depart¬ ment, are you not?”

“Yes, sir; I earn part of my expenses that way . 9 9

“Then I take it that you are not burdened by an excess of financial advantages?”

Hammond grinned. “I have never lost any sleep worrying over any such excess, Doctor,” he replied.

“We have all been similarly fortunate in that respect,” continued the doctor, bowing slightly to his colleagues. The others exchanged amused glances. Hammond was beginning to feel more at ease. Powell sat fingering the gold football on his watch chain, his eyes fixed on the pattern of the carpet.

Suddenly Dr. Martin leaned forward. He spoke in cold crisp tones; each word sounded like the dropping of beads from a broken neck¬ lace on a polished hardwood floor.

“Mr. Hammond, will you kindly explain to the committee where you secured the two hun¬ dred dollars which you bet and lost to Mr. Harrison Christy, on the California-Washing¬ ton baseball game, played last Saturday?”

Hammond was amazed. All eyes in the room, except those of Powell, were searching his face. He flushed and then became pale.

“The money was my own personal property, sir,” he said at last.

“Did you give Mr. Christy a check?” shot the doctor.

“No. I paid him in cash.”

“When did you pay him?”

“Saturday evening, sir.”

4 4 Where ? ’ ’

“At the Olympic Club. We were there with some of the Washington fellows.”

“Who saw you pay him?”

“Why—Lester here, and several of the gen¬ tlemen who were at the club at the time . 9 9

“Where did you get the money you used to pay him?”

‘ ‘ I—I had it in my room . 9 9

“What were you doing with such a sum of money in your room, Mr. Hammond?”

“I—I won the money last Wednesday, on the Oregon-California game.”

“With whom did you bet?”

“I don’t know the man’s name, sir. The bet occurred in the grand-stand. The man was standing next to me. ’ ’

“I see.”

Martin turned to Powell. “Mr. Powell, did Mr. Hammond go to his room before leaving for San Francisco?”

Powell hesitated; he was visibly excited.

‘ ‘ I—don’t know, sir, ’ ’ he replied.

Gil looked at his roommate in amazement. Powell had been in the car when Hammond entered the fraternity house. Les had asked Gil to bring him his cigarette case from the bureau, in their room. Powell now gazed at the carpet. His hands were twitching nervously.

“Mr. Hammond,” continued Martin, “are you in the habit of betting large sums on athletic contests?”

“N—o, sir. I never bet any, to amount to anything, before the Oregon game. When I won I thought that I might as well risk the money on California Saturday.”

“Did you bet on California Wednesday?”

“Naturally !”

“Mr. Hammond, do you realize that betting is a practice not encouraged by the faculty of this institution V 9

“I know that gambling in any form is not recognized by the University, sir. But I am over twenty-one years of age. The money was mine. I don’t think that there is any disgrace in betting. It is done quite often.”

‘ < That is a matter of opinion, Mr. Hammond. But, in view of the evidence presented, do you expect us to believe this statement of yours about the removal of the funds from the Pelican office?”

Hammond arose. His face was pale.

“Dr. Hadley, and gentlemen,” he said, “I do not wish you to believe anything except the truth. The statement which I have made is absolutely correct in every detail, to the best of my knowledge. I did not take the funds; I do not know, nor have I the least idea who did. My record here at the University has been good. Let that speak for me.

“It is obvious, from Dr. Martin’s question, and from the evidence presented, that I am under suspicion. Gentlemen, I swear by every¬ thing that I hold sacred, by my honor as a man, and by the sacred ties of my fraternity, that I did not commit this theft. There isn’t anything more for me to say.”

Gil turned to the geology professor, a father¬ ly old man, who had always befriended him in every possible way. The old man’s face was troubled. He seemed bewildered.

“Dr. England, speak for me. You have known me for more than three years. For two years I have worked in your laboratory. I have had charge of laboratory expense money and have collected fees. Have you ever found me dishonest? Have you ever found one cent missing from the funds, or one unaccounted-for mistake in the records ? ’ 9

Dr. England arose.

‘ ‘ What Mr. Hammond says is true, and I take pleasure in confirming it,” he said. “During the last three years I have known Mr. Ham¬ mond and have had many chances of observing him. Gentlemen, I do not believe this charge. I would be willing to stake my reputation that the boy is not guilty . 9 9

Dr. Martin regarded him coldly.

4 4 Have you any evidence, other than personal opinion, to present, Doctor?” he asked.

The old man looked at him contemptuously.

“I am not accustomed to deal with the methods of a police court,” he retorted, “nor do I dabble in criminal psychology. I merely gave my opinion as that of an old man who has spent the greater part of his life teaching and dealing with young men and women.”

Hammond had remained standing while the old doctor was speaking. “Thank you, Dr. England,” he said.

The Dean spoke.

“Of course, Mr. Hammond, you realize that in any court of justice a man is considered innocent until he has been proved guilty. You understand also that we are all very anxious r;

that any suspicion be removed from your name. But, of course, you must also realize that we sit here, not merely as your friends, but as a com¬ mittee of investigation. Our business is not to form opinions, but to secure and weigh evi¬ dence.

“The question of betting, itself a serious charge, is dwarfed by the more important one of the missing funds. You must realize that you are open to suspicion on the latter charge all the more because of the former one, which you yourself have admitted.

“You will remove all suspicion against your¬ self on the latter charge by proving first, that you placed the money in the safe; second, that you did not return to the Pelican office at any time after you had left the University grounds Saturday afternoon; and third, that you se¬ cured the funds for your bet as you stated.

“We have already verified your visit to San Francisco. The matter then simmers down to proof of your having personal funds for the bet, of your placing the baseball funds in the safe, and of your statement that you went directly to your fraternity house upon your return to Berkeley.

“You will be given ample time to furnish these proofs before any definite action is taken in the matter. ’ ’

The Dean turned to Dr. Martin.

“Do you wish to question Mr. Hammond fur¬ ther ? ’’ he asked.

“No. Mr. Hammond may be excused, if he so desires,” replied the psychology professor. “Mr. Powell, will you be so good as to remain for a few minutes?” he asked.

Hammond left the room in a daze.

When Hammond had gone Dr. Martin turned to Powell.

“Mr. Powell, will you please tell the com¬ mittee what you know of the case, just as you told Dr. Hadley and me this morning?” he asked.

Powell fidgeted in his chair, twisted at his necktie and hesitated. Dr. Martin continued:

‘ ‘ Of course, we all know how unpleasant this is for you, Mr. Powell, considering your inti¬ mate relations with Mr. Hammond, but the interests of the University demand that this affair be sifted to the bottom and made clear.

“Do you know anything about Mr. Ham¬ mond^ betting on the Oregon-Califomia game, last week?”

4 ‘ N—o; that is—I heard Gil say that he ex¬ pected to make a clean-up on the game, if his luck held. I didn’t pay much attention. Most of the fellows bet something on the games, now and then, sir. I didn’t think that Gil had bet much. I really thought nothing of it, at the time. ’ ’

“Did Mr. Hammond have any money in the bank, or elsewhere, to your knowledge?” asked Dr. Martin.

“No, sir. He was usually pretty shy of cash. He borrowed ten dollars from me before the game. ’ ’

“Was that anything unusual around your fraternity house?” interrupted Dr. England. “I understand you fellows are always borrow¬ ing and lending to each other.”

“It wasn’t anything unusual, of course. Usually the fellow that has money divides with the others. I have lent Gil money dozens of times before, and thought nothing of it.”

“Did he always pay it back?” asked Dr. Martin.

“Yes, so far as I know. As I said, we are always borrowing and lending. Nobody keeps a very strict account, sir.”

“Why did you mention his borrowing ten dol¬ lars from you, Mr. Powell?” questioned Dr. England.

“I—I was rather surprised, especially as I saw him pay Mr. Christy two hundred dollars, later in the afternoon, sir.”

“Did he pay Mr. Christy cash, or a check?”

1 i Cash. Gil had a roll of bills. ’’

“Did he give Mr. Christy the entire roll?”

“No, sir. There was some left. I noticed, because he paid me back the ten I had lent him when he paid Christy.”

The old man looked worried.

“Did Hammond borrow the money before he received the baseball funds from Caldw T ell!” asked Dr. Martin.

“Yes, sir. We w r ere with a bunch of co-eds, and Gil whispered to me that he was broke.”

‘ ‘ Did you see him enter the Pelican office after the game ? ’’

“No. I paid no attention. I was busy intro¬ ducing the girls to some of the Washington fellows, and did not notice Gil until he joined us later on the campus.”

“Did he have time to leave the money while he was gone, do you think?”

4 ‘ I really couldn’t say, sir. I kept no track of the time. I should think that he would have had. ’ ’

“Did you and Mr. Hammond go to your fra¬ ternity house, before leaving for San Fran¬ cisco ? ”

“Yes, sir. We had left our traveling bags in the hall. Hammond jumped out and got them. I remained in the car.”

“Your room is on the upper floor, I believe. Did he have time to go upstairs for the money, do you think?”

“I—I couldn’t say, sir. It seems to me that he returned almost immediately. The bagjs were in the hall. ’ ’

“Do you think that he had the money which he paid Mr. Christy, in his traveling bag?”

“He couldn’t have had, unless he took it out in the hall. The baggage was in the .other car when we stopped at the Olympic Club to drop two of the Washington fellows. We were at the club only a few minutes.”

“There were several in the party, I believe. Why did Hammond return to Berkeley before the others?”

“I don’t know. He seemed restless—said that he wanted to get back Sunday night. Had some business to attend to—something in con¬ nection with the Pelican , I believe.”

“Did he tell you that it was something con¬ nected with the Pelican?”

“Yes, sir.”

Dr. Martin looked significantly at the others.

4 4 Then he must have gone to the Pelican office after all, ’ ’ he said. 4 4 That accounts for the rest of the funds not being taken. He had the oppor¬ tunity to replace them.”

44 Couldn’t he just as well have replaced them Monday morning?” asked Dr. England. 44 That proves nothing, that I can see. There is nothing definite about it.”

4 ‘It is a well-known psychological fact,” an¬ swered Dr. Martin, “that when a person has something weighing on his mind, something to be done, the person does not rest until the thing is done. Besides, Mr. Hammond did not know that Mr. Powell would not be present when he opened the safe, or would not have an opportun¬ ity to open it himself, were Hammond to wait till Monday.”

Dr. England grunted in disgust.

“Are there any more questions that you wish to ask Mr. Powell?” asked the psychology pro¬ fessor. “If not, I would suggest that he be excused.’ 9

Powell left the room, and the Dean once more took charge of the meeting.

“Are there any questions or suggestions, gentlemen ? ” he queried.

Dr. England arose.

“Yes, I should like to know who informed you about Hammond’s betting.”

“Is that necessary?” asked Dr. Martin. “The fact that he has confessed to the state¬ ment removes all doubt in regard to its veracity. ”

“I don’t see any objection to telling how we became cognizant of the fact, Dr. Martin,” said the Dean, turning to the geology professor.

“The facts were brought out, Dr. England, during our conference with Mr. Powell this morning, as a result of Dr. Martin’s question¬ ing. Since Mr. Hammond does not deny them, there can be no doubt of their validity. ’ ’

“I do not doubt them,” returned the old doctor, “but the mere fact that the young man lias been betting is not, in itself, incriminating evidence. But-— ” the old man arose and pointed a long trembling finger at Dr. Martin— “has it not occurred to you gentlemen, and to you, Dr. Martin,, that it is rather unusual for one fraternity brother to be so ready to inform on another, especially when the information is incriminating?

“Most of you gentlemen have been allied to some fraternities or other in your time. I am a member of the same fraternity as these two young men. I was pledged at Cornell, over twenty-five years ago. I instigated the organi¬ zation of the present chapter when it became a struggling little local. I helped the boys lease the old house down on the corner, and gave my bit when they bought it ten years ago. I was instrumental in bringing about their acceptance into the national organization. Since the chap¬ ter was first organized, I have been a constant visitor at the chapter house. The boys look on me as part of the furniture. I have learned to know and love them, because they have been more or less my own—all the family I have. My fraternal obligation to each of these gentle¬ men is the same.

“But again I ask you, Dr. Martin, who are yourself a fraternity man and you, Dr. Hadley, and you—and you—and you, who are all frater¬ nity men: is it according to your experience that a man should volunteer such evidence against his roommate, the friend of his family, and his own fraternity brother?

4 4 Gentlemen, I am an old man. I have known that boy, Hammond, for three years, and I have learned to love and respect him. All of this, I admit, makes me prejudiced in his favor; but as

I stand here today, I am ready to stake my repu¬ tation among you—and it is all that I have— that there has been foul play somewhere, and that that young man is as innocent as I am myself. ’ ’

The old man sat. down and wiped the per¬ spiration from his face. Dr. Martin arose.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “I am sure that we all appreciate Dr. England’s feelings in this mat¬ ter, and honor and respect him for such feel¬ ings; but we must not allow the fact that the doctor is quite rightfully and naturally preju¬ diced in the young man’s favor, to interfere with our administration of justice according to the evidence presented. It is our duty, in the in¬ terests of the University, to deal with the cold facts as we see them; and we must not allow ourselves to become influenced with the per¬ sonal aspect of the situation.

“As for Mr. Powell, he is of an extremely nervous temperament, and under the stress of the moment was, in all probability, not aware that he was giving harmful evidence against his friend. I think you gentlemen will bear me out in that, from personal observation. Mr. Ham¬ mond’s own evidence clears Mr. Powell from suspicion.

“I would suggest, Dr. Hadley, that in view of the fact that we can take no further action until Mr. Hammond has been given an oppor¬ tunity to produce his evidence, that the com¬ mittee adjourn until tomorrow at one o’clock.”

The Dean charged them all to maintain the closest secrecy in regard to the affair, and the meeting was adjourned. The professors filed out into the hall and, assembling in little groups, began discussing the situation in subdued tones.

II

Hammond left the Dean’s office feeling as though he had just awakened from some nau¬ seating, impossible nightmare. While he had realized that the loss of the money from the Pelican safe was in itself a serious matter, he had never even remotely considered the pros¬ pect of himself being suspected of the theft. He crossed the campus to a group of trees, and throwing himself down on a bench, finally suc¬ ceeded in collecting his racing thoughts, and with them some remnant of his accustomed composure.

It had all begun with that cursed Oregon bet of his—no, it had begun with the seeming for¬ tunate chance which had sent him something over three hundred dollars, a bonus for military services during the war. With the money in his pocket, he had, on impulse, covered the bet of an over-confident, over-loquacious Oregon¬ ian, and by some cursed streak of ill luck, had won. Then had come the Washington game, and with it a temptation to try to make enough money for a summer’s vacation after Ms graduation in June. He had called the bet of Mr. Christy, a mining engineer, who was a friend of the Powells, had lost his winnings on the Oregon game—and had laid the foundation for this damnable tangle.

Silently and bitterly he cursed Mmself for the fool that he had been in betting—for not telling some of his fraternity brothers of the bonus check—for not taking Powell with him when he placed the baseball funds in the Pelican safe—for not taking him up to their room be¬ fore starting for San Francisco.

But Powell had known that he had gone to their room! He had called to Gil to bring his cigarette case from the study table, and Ham¬ mond had done so! Why had Les failed to tell this? Had his roommate told the committee of the bet? Powell had been present at the Olym¬ pic Club when he, Hammond, had paid Christy, and—yes, by George, Les had been present when he made the bet. Powell had made a wager with a newspaper man, at the same time.

Could Powell know anything about the money? Gil dismissed this idea at once as ab¬ surd. Mr. Powell, senior, was wealthy, and al¬ lowed his son all the money he needed. And then Les had been in San Francisco. Of course, his roommate was pretty weak in some ways, he recalled. Les gambled, drank rather often, and was pretty lax with his school work; but he could have no motive for being dishonest.

But who had taken the money, and why had he not taken the entire amount? Hammond was mystified, bewildered. He could not forget the failure of his roommate to recall the cigarette case. And Les had acted queerly all the after¬ noon of the Washington game, had driven reck¬ lessly, and had suggested all sorts of ridiculous impossible escapades, after their arrival in the city. The girls, PowelPs sister, Evelyn, and Dorothy Paige, to whom Hammond was virtu¬ ally engaged, had laughingly asked him whether or not Les was having a light stroke of insanity. He had thought nothing of it at the time.