The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-04

9s YSNS2NAf\WM1|Y FRIEND
W. W1y3HAEGH H8GS Bracken, the
EEA&&E M$9sTyEy1@ detective, had
- 0EssHHfD been overdue
eS&2 several days
When things
were normal he dropped in once a
week, but in the course of our long in
timacy heard his light knock and
saw his gentle, melancholy face in the
doorway many and many an odd and
unexpected time. Ten days had now
gone by without visit, and / was be-
ginning to wonder what could have
happened, when he appeared one even
ing and dropped' into a chair with a
sigh.
'Where have you been this age?" I
asked, as soon as he was seated.
''In the great DESERT" said he. look
ing gravely into the fire.
Nonsense" said /. "Wake up!
There hasn't been time for you to get
so far as to Gibraltar since l saw you
last"
II meant the great desert of London.
Ac Odudf d - INO kICdC OCSClo u OoANs
London the great desert of man"
my dear Bracken." said 1. briskly.
edo drop that philosophic tone and
come down to earth and facts. What
have you been doing? Running muir
derer to earth in Westminster, or stop
ping an eloping couple at Queens.
town."
Neither" said he, shaking himself
up. 81 have for the past week or more
been on private job-a city case.''
ga private city case is nearly always
Interesting. What would you like to
whet your whistle with?"
'I'll have brandy and soda," sand
Bracken, with another sigh.
I got the brandy and soda, pushed
the cigar-box toward him and settled
myself back in my chair Once Bracken
has been wound it is best to let him
alone. He does not mind question to
elucidate what he is say ing, but he
does resent anything like goad.
Last Friday week." said he, after a
long pause. II was sent for by Mr.. Ed
ward Merricl, junior partner of Mer-
i'm * w. dAN cOll CA AACAdhoCA -AOA-
rick, the senior and only other partner.
"The business house of Merrick g.
Co. is IN Mincing lann. But l was in
vited to call at the private house of
young Mr.. Merricl< in Thornpson's road,
Twickenham. Young MIR. Merrick is
about thirty-five, and married. His IA.
ther Is between sixty and seventy,
xx-{1 hoc
ham common, where his unmarried
sister, few years his junior, keeps
house for him.
"'For some time back said young
Mr.. Merrick when saw him, we have
been very uneasy about my father.
When I say we mean the family.
which consists of my aunt, my wife
and myself.
Up to about three years ago I
knew oil my fathers business. He and
were on the most intimate terms pos
sible. He reposed unlimited confidence
in me. and l had no secrets from him.
He was the soundest and mt st steady
going business man in London, and the
very last you would suspect OF going
LIZ W AdLdI oOho LILO JUDI
ness was then in fourishing condi.
ton. Never had it been better; never
even SO good.
My father and are now and have
ever been the only partners. Until
lately we always kept plenty Of money
in hand. together with large reserve.
My father owned as his private for
tune about hundred thousand pounds,
invested in first-class securities He
was as cautious Of where he put his
own money as the most careful trustee
with the money of another.
"'Att tie 1 speak of, about three
years serious financial panic
seized A period of overtrad-
ing and speculation had ended in
disaster. had been rushing blind
IL into ventures which could not rec
ommend themselves to any sane hui
man being, and now at last the newt
able crash was at hand. Houses of
great respectabiiity and standing came
down like bubble companies, aud even
sober going trades wero filed with ap-
prehension and CONSERVATION. Merrick
& Co. was absolutely unharmed-unaf-
fected- We had not rislzed a penny In
any dubious venture, and we had not
lost penny indirectly through others
up to that dreadful crisis
knew everything about my fathers
private affairs - where every shil-
ling was invested In the mid
die of thas crisis. q great change
came over the old man. He grew taci-
turn and norose He withdrew his
from mo all st once, ard
from that day TO this has told me no
moro about his private money matters
than you have told me about yours,
Mr. Bracken. have indirectly learned
much. ! know. for instance, that be
ali his frst-class securities
into cash have no idea what he did
Win the cash. lie has drawn large sums
# N oney ont of the business. more
han it can well afford. and now he has
given notice Of further withdrawal !
,ne which would cripple II not ruin I.
.he firm altogether.
1.-The unaccountable part OF this f,
natter is tha. he did not begia this /
yans until the speculative fever had 4
lied out--until the crisis was at hand +
,ntil the crash had occurred. II he had /
begun to realise,four years aga instead 1
IF three. I should accoune for all by .
,ayiu1 he bad heaa SnekAd into thA !.