The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-10-14

| " uHueTSIdHu IndE ne nau gone on his
vacation. think it would be a good
idea to have that information 90 abroad.
L think we might have it announced
that Brooks has gone off for couple
of weeks TO visit friends in Detroit.
This would give us time to turn around
and consult as to what is best to be
done"
There were sevaral mods at this prop
osition, but MeiggS, who was the kick
er of the board. said gruffiy: stuff.
What good would that do, the truth is
pOrters get scent of the affair. At
best it would only postpone the Diff
Guilty for a week or two"
Il am thinking of the credit of the
bank" said Mr.. Bonus, mildly. If
you don't like my plan, Mr.. Meiggs,
propose something"
Yes" murmured the others, ''pro-
pose something
The phrase propose something"
went round the table, and each one of
the members looked anxiously at Mr..
Meiggs.
''The first part of the proposition"
said Meiggs, lis to telegraph to Chica-
go for an expert accountant and ask
him to bring down as many assistants
as he requires, so that we may speedily
know our position. Are there any OBJ
jectiOns to that proposal?"
Mr.. Meiggs glanced up and down the
table.
There were no objections.
''My next proposal is this: Telegraph
to Chicago for one of the best bank de-
tectives in the city and place the case
in his hands. A train leaves Chicago
at one o'clock 1t is now shortly after
eleven. If you commission me to write
the dispatches l will guarantee to have
both on that train and we can meet
here at three o'clock to consult In the
meantime say nothing at all about the
affair, and after consulting with the de-
tective, if you think it best to put the
announcement suggested by Mr.. Bonus
in the papers there's ample time TO do
it."
This was unanimously agreed to and
at three o clock the board of directors
again met. The interview with the
accountant was brief. He was given
charge of the books and cautioned not
little to keep silence, caution which
he assured the gentlemen was quite I'M
necessary. Mr.. Meiggs had met the
detective at the station and they had
been in consultation up to the time of
the meeting of the board.
Gentlemen" said the detective.
who looked like prosperous CONNER
cial traveller, sis your bank in such
state that it can stand run?"
Bonus looked rather aghast at the
proposition, but he said that he thought
it was. Money had been rather drug
on the market for some time past. |
The directors were all solid men, the |
amount of liabilities was not large. so !
the conclusion was that if necessary
the bank could stand run.
Then, gentlemen. l PROPOSE" said |
the detective, ''that we tell the truth. |
[ propose that we announce in the |
papers that Brooks has absconded. and |
that an accountant is now engaged in |
finding the amount of his defalca-
ton"
81 don't like to agree to that" fall
tered Mr.. Bonus.
Very we'll" said the detective, tax
ing out his watch, Il have five minutes
vet before l must leave to take the
Chicago train. You have that time to
make up your mind. The case must
be entirely in my hands, and you must
10 exactly as l say or you must put the
matter in the care of some one else"
''But there will be Il run" said Mr..
Bonus. "Would it not be better to say
the amount of the defalcation is very
small?"
No, sir" answered the detective,
1--WE don't know what, the amount is.
It may be very large. My motto is to
Tell the truth. -
The board of directors seemed rather
to think such motto was
part of a detectives equipment, and
hey consulted in whispers together
There will certainly be run if we
give it out in that way"
''You say you are able to stand it."
the detective CHANGING down
It his watch.
Eyes, but
"Just one minute more" said the
detective.
There was half minutes consulta- I
ion then Mr.. Bonus said with a sigh:
1--WE leave the case entirely in your
lands. l understand that Mr.. Meiggs
5 satisfied as to your ability to manage
t." I
Perfectly" said Meiggs, speaking i
or the first time.
The sensation of next days papers I
vas the abSconding of the popular Mr.. Z
Brooks. of the Stability Bank. The
icket agent was interviewed, the hotel
Jerk was interviewed. Saunders was
and gave a graphic account
t his meeting with Brooks in Chicago,
nd added much about his CHASTITY,
face which he had \
OF mentioned to Mr.. Bonus; Bonus !
yaS interviewed, but said nothing; and .
he directors were interviewed and said !,
othing. The detective was inter- b
iewed and was loquacious and the &C a
ountant was interviewed, but gave no
+
Next day there was run on the 8
ank, but all claims were promptly
aid and things seemed to be going on
D much as usual that before the second
ay it died out and the bank resumed q
5 former appearance. There was
leeting of the directors few days af- O
srwards. All of the directors were @
with Mr.. Bonus in the chair.
he detective was seated near q win
ow, the accountant stood with some n
alancc sheets in his hand at the lower q
nd of the table. c
Gentlemen, he said, looking at his |;
aperS. there is deficiency of $780,
40.7S."
A look of horror went round the &
GARD. The president leaned back in d