The Great Fish Heist of Squier's Vault

Last week, D. D. Squier was presented with a fine string of trout. As he gazed upon the fish, his mouth watered, and he felt a yearning for a taste. It was the wrong time of day for feeding, so in order to keep them fresh, he deposited the fish in the ice vault. The boys witnessed the anticipation hanging about the corner of Squier's mouth and put up a job to euchre him out of the feast. F. H. Meade sauntered into the store in a loquacious kind of way and, tipping the wink to Squier, made that individual imagine he had something of importance to communicate. Squier followed Meade into the vault. Here, Meade whispered some simple anecdote into his willing ear, while F. M. Thompson sneaked in and gobbled the fish. Conscious of the wicked joke, Squier waited anxiously until meal time, when with trembling fingers and keen appetite he hastened to gather up his treasures. His astonishment knew no bounds upon discovering his loss. With a surprise heavy enough to give him the cramps, Mr. Squier plodded to his hotel to feast on beefsteak and recollections. He just reached the dining room in time to see the waiter removing the skeleton and fins of fish from in front of the wicked robbers.