Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-12-18
ToRoNTHAL's BANK.

CHAPTER ~.
ToRoNTHALs BANK.
At Trieste society" is nearly non.
existent Between different races as
between castles, it is seldom found. The
Austrian ofiicialsassume the highest posi-
ton, and take precedence according TO
their respective ranks Generally these
men are distinguished, well educated and
well meaning but their pay is so small
for their position that they are unable
TO enter into competition with the trad
ing and banking classes. These latter, as
entertainments are rare among the rich,
and the parties given by the officials are
nearly ali uuambitious, nave taken to
display most of their wealth III outside
shown the streets by their sumptuous
carriages, and ut the theatre by the ex-
travagance of their dress and jewelry.
Among these opulent families that of
Silas Toronthal held a distinguished
place.
The head of the house, whose credit
extended far beyond the limits of
Austro-Hungary was then in his thirty
seventh year. With Nine. Toronthal,
who was several years his junior he
occupied mansion in the Acquedotto
He WAS supposed TO be very rich-and
he should have been. Bold and FORUM
ute speculations on the Stock Ex-
change, a largo business with the Aus
TRAN Lloyds and other extensive COM
panies and the issuing OF several impor-
tant loans had, or ought TO have, brought
huge sums of money into his Golfers
Hence his household was conducted on
O scale of considerable splendor.
Nevertheless, rs Sarcany had said TO
Zirone, there was possibility that the
affairs of Silas Toronthal were slightly
embarrassed-at least for time
Seven years before, when the funds
were shaken by the Franco-Italian war.
he had received a severe blow, and more
recently the disastrous campaign which
ended at Sadowa had sent down the
prices on everySSxchange in Europe,
more especially On those of Austria
Hungary, and chiefly those of Vienna,
Pesth and Trieste The necessity Of
providing the large amounts then drawn
out on the current accounts not i'm
probably caused him serious incon-
yenience. But when the crisis had
passed he doubtless recovered himself,
and if what Sarcany had said was cor
rect it must have been his recent specu-
lations only which lad led him into
difficulties
During the last few months great
change had come over Toronthal. His
whole look had altered without his
knowledge. He was not, as formerly,
master of himself. People had noticed
that he no longer looked them in the
face, rs had been his custom, but rather
eyed them askance This had not es-
capped the notice of Nine. Toronthal,
confirmed invalid, without energy, and
submissiveness itself, who knew very
little about his business matters
And if some disaster did menace
Toronthal. it must be admitted that he
would get very little sympathy. He
had many customers, but few friends.
The high opinion he held about his posi-
lion, ms native vanity, the airs ne
gave himself on all occasions, had not
done him any good. And above all the
people of Trieste looked upon him as a
foreigner because he was born mt Rugusa,
and hence was Dalmatlan. No family
ties attached him to the town to which
he had come fifteen years before to lay
the foundation of his fortune
Such, then, was the position of Tor
onthals bank. Although Sarcany had
his suspicious, nothing had occurred to
give rise to a rumor that it was in diff
culties. Its credit remained mistaken.
And Count Sandorf, after realizing his
investments, had deposited with it
considerable sum-on condition that it
should always be available at twenty
four hours notice.
1t may seem surprising that con-
nection of any sort should have been
formed between bank of such high
reputation and such "a very dubious
character as Sarcany. 1t had existed
nevertheless for two or three years.
Toronthal had had a good deal of bust
ness with the Regency of Tripoli, and
Sarcany had been employed rs n kind of
broker and general confidential agent,
entrusted with the disposal of certain
wine and other gifts under circum-
stances in which it was not always de-
sirable that the Trieste banker should
appear in person. Having been engaged
in these and other rather suspicious
schemes, Sarcany got his foot. or rather
his hand, into'the bank {, and continued
10 carry on a sort of system OF extortion
OH Toronthal, who was not, however,
quite at his mercy inasmuch as no
material proof existed OF their mutual
dealings But bankers position is
one of extreme delicacy. A word may
ruin him. And Sarcany knew how to
take advantage of this.
But Toronthal knew what he wns
about He had parted with certain
sums, which had been dissipated in the
gambling houses with the rccklessness
of an adventurer who takes no thought
OF the future, and then SaTcsny becomr