Bank robbers had tied and gagged the bank cashier after learning the combination to the safe and had herded the other employees into a separate room under guard.

After they rifled the safe and were about to leave, the cashier made desperate pleading noises through the gag.

Moved by curiosity, one of the burglars loosed the gag.

"Please," whispered the cashier, "take the books, too. I'm $7,500 short."