New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-08
AN AMICABLE ARRANGEMENT

foolish enoaCh to transact his Stock Exchange
business through outside broker With all his
astuteneSs he shared the idlosvncrasy of many
clever people of being somewhat careless about his
private affairs, and the glowing advertisements OF
He had not done badly by the firm, upon the whole.
when one morning he learned to his great disgust
that the junior partner had disappeared after COM
uniting extensive defalcatiOns.
Mr. Gmblet, fortunately, had recently realized
nearly all his securities and duly received payment.
There remained balance due to him. but II was not
very much, and if the failure of Messrs Want &
SlowbOdy had occurred in the ordinary way, he
would have borne his loss with equanlm ity. But,
papers, it.appeared that the misfortune had been
entirely brought about by the nagrant dishonesty
of Mr. SlowbOdy. who lad taken advantage OF his
seniors temporary absence to abscond with an
enormous sum of money, and had apparently con-
trived TO get clear away with his booty. The
greatest sympathy was expressed Tor Mr.. want, VINO
had FASTENED home on hearing the startling news,
only to find himself utterly ruined. 1t made Mr.;
Gimblet very angry indeed to think that he had
been robbed and he determined that Mr.. SlowbOdy
should not escape scotfree for want OF any assist
ance he could render.
nary meeting of the creditors of the firm dressed IN
his best with the inevitable flower in his button
hole. Nobody paid the slightest attention to INN,
for he mOdestly kept in the background and took no
part in the proceedings. lie did not trouble his
head by attempting TO follow the figures and the
dry business details which bore upon the important
question of the dividend the estate would yield, but
certain parts of Mr.. Wants pathetic and eloquent
statement interested him SO much that when the
meeting adjourned be politely accOsed that gentle
man aud requested few minutes conversations ,
Mr. Want seemed inclined to resent Mr.. Gimblets
demand as an impertinence. He a hOrld,
elderly man. with loud voice. and rather pompous
manners He probably considered that after the
ample statement he had made the questions lie had
satisfactorily answered, and the unanimous vote or
sympathy by which his creditors had testified their
appreciation of his straightforward conduct; he
might be spared the opportunities OF individual
creditors. . ,u,ou4 to,.o 80,
time to give You. sir" he replied, gancing rather
supercOusy at Nh Glmblet, So
avery we'll Only thought might possibly he
Z" In what way y inquired Mr. Want.
ANY name is GImbet," said the ex-detective,
producing one of his business cards.
den cOrdiality. Il believe You generally trans
acted your business through my late partner. That
Mr. Gimblet followed Mr.. Want into small
private room with a gralfed smile upon his shIeWd
lips. Vanity the eX-detectIves weak point
and he could not help feeling battered at Mi. wants
change of manner. it,.
Mr. Gimblet, fortunately for yourself" remarked
Mr. Want when they were alone.
Yes said Mr.. Glmbet, taking mental note OF
the fact that for the first time during the day MI;
Want showed signs of nervousness However, dld
not wish to trouble you about that. ., ~
"Ohi don't consider me for moment sad MT.
Want with a wave of his white hand " place my
self entirely and unTeservedly at the disposition OF
my house INV plate and my carriages and even my
Wlfe's ieNelry-will 20 toward increasing the dIyl-
dend and repairing this terrible disaster as lar as
So &; understand" said Mr. Gimblet, quite IN
moved " / wanted to ask about Mr.. Slowbody"
" warrant has been issued Tor his apprehension
returned Mr. Want, somewhat impauently.
Yes sir | know. But not until too late"
What do you mean F! l gave information 10 me
police within an hour of my return home SAID MI
Want. reddenmg slightly. r., ~,
Gimblet. " You and your family were staying at
We had been there two months" interpOsed Mr..
: Exactly. You had no suspicion of your partners
proceedings until"
Until received his letter written from Queens
town informing me of his flight" interrupted Mr..
Want quickly. Il Immediately started home by
the first train. and after spending half an hour
here called III the police. You see ala not lose
10: but the letter did not reach you till several
days-nOre than week, II fact-ilter uate IT,
marked Mr.. Gmblet.
That is so. Unfortunately l had left Biaritz
with my family the day before the letter arrived
there. Consequently it had to be forwarded on to
Paris, and that caused delay .
Mr. Sowbody had plenty OF time 10 reach
America. if that was his destination, between the
date OF his letter and the time OF your giving iDlOr
nation TO the police observed Nh. Gimblet' mus
afhat nav he. presume these questions have
reference to desire onyOur part to assist IN apPre-
hendng my late partnerf' said Mr.. Want, drawing
. Most certainly. Considering that he has
robbed and ruined Won. no one IN his senses WoHiu
imagine YOU desired TO assist his escape SAID Mr..
Gimblet with an innocent air.
NV dear sir II am Christian, processing
the sane time. | cannot help feeling vindictive
toward NV late partner As you say, he has
robbed and ruined me Nben jAlhA VI tno ni'ScI5
and suffering he has wrought"
an" Vhaf do the police saw, sir r said Mr. Gmblet
interrupting Mr.. Wants remarks with scant
= Vel. they have no cew at present, but they arc
bopeful0 answered Mr.. Want l am sure they
would be grateful for any suggestion you couId
no thew wouldn't because might tell them that
they are on the wrong scent Altogether s3ld Mt
"a
However feigning not to notice Mr.. wants start
md look of confusion never interfere IN what
doesn't concern he. Inc ponce CdH ~ tHClA ""J'
You are exceedingly kind" returned Mr.. Want,
evidently striving 10 appear cordial, 10 interest
Don't mention it. sir said Mr.. Gimblet, taking
ND his bat; Won see I've been rObOed--thaJ - me
long and short of il. Tve not lost much; II ne
having been swinded that riles me. / should ike
70 be even with Mr. SlOwbOdy.' 80
{" You are not singular in that desire, Mr, tim
blet.' SAID Mr.. Want extending his hand Any
thing yon have to suggest shall receive the most
careful at entiOn.'
thoughtful frame of mind after this interview. he
fact was that he felt completely mystihed by Mr.
Wants behavior. While that gentleman was
making his statement 70 his creditors, the eX-
detective had been struck by sudden suspicion
that he was acting part. The idea to him
from experience to associate with a happy inspira-
tOn The great secret Of Mr. Gmblet's success I'm his
peculiar line of business was singular knack Of
Corning correct conclusion without the process of
reasoning. lie was by no means wanting in logical
perception, but he was frequently aided ia his in
VestigatOns by IA sort of intuition which put him on
the right track when others were yany cropping in
the dark. lie had 'nstlnctlyely mistIusted Mr. Want
from the moment he commenced his speech, and
when the proceedings terminated he felt mpelled
10 engage him IN conversation IN order 10 gauge his
character. He bad difficulty in this, for Mr..
Wants deIneanor had not been calculated 10 inspire
confidence. In fact. MIR. Gimbet had very strong
Impression that, in spite Of direct evidence TO the
contrary, the gentleman was no more entitled to
leiaUltlug