tried to sleep—but gave it up and decided
to investigate the files of the operators for
possible evidence of other telegraph mes-
sages of mysterious origin. Running through
them he came upon a set of wires showing
the dealings of a McBride business man on

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the wheat market, handled by the Steadman
Grain Company of Edmonton, Alberta. By
the copies of the telegrams he noticed the
man was making a large sum of money;
and that operator Francis LaRue had taken
the messages. Having that knowledge it
seemed possible that LaRue might be

tempted to use the ill-gotten money for such
a gamble—that is, if he were the guilty

party.

Capt. O. J. Wheatley, of the C.N.R. Depart:
ment of Investigation, and the Teddy Bear

The following morning after consultation
with the other investigators due to Service's
information with regard to LaRue’s charac-
ter and the fact that he had been on duty
the night of the robbery, it was decided to
concentrate wholly on him. Mr. Henderson,
the agent, was approached and asked if he
had ever heard LaRue mention taking a
chance in the wheat market. His answer
was disconcerting.

“Why, yes. LaRue told me not so long
ago he had a hunch to save up $50.00 a
month out of his cheque and have a flutter
at the market, as wheat was going up. I
advised him against it though, warning him
that a few hundred dollars would not go
very far.”

At least it was learned that LaRue was
interested in the wheat exchange, and his
actions could be watched in that direction.

Later that morning Cashier Herb Ludgate
came into the office in some degree recoy-
ered from his shock of the situation.

Capt. Wheatley noting his return to nor-
mal decided to question him further.

“By the way, Herb, when did you last
change the combination on the safe?”

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