The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-08
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think anything else. For two months we
haven't been successful in getting single
one Of tbs big contracts. We've had our
share of the little things. OF course, but
they don't amount 20 much The big
things that we really want have slipped
through our fingers. We've lost them by
the skin Of cur teeth every time. That
isn't accident. IS IL? OF course mott Then
there's only one expianation-theres
leak ia this Office somewhere.
You don't suspect any OF the clerks,
Go you. Mr.. Wheatcroft?" asked the elder
Whittier, sadly.
Il don't suspect anybody IN particular"
returned the junior partner. brushing his
hair the wrong way. And / suspect
everybody IN general haven't an idea
VINO u Is, but It's somebody
who makes up the bids on these i'm
portaut contracts7" asked Paul.
''Wheatcroft and l." answered his IA.
Their The specifications are forwarded
70 the works. and the engineers make
their estimates OF the actual cost OF labor
and material These estimates are sent
10 US here, and we add whatever we think
best for interest and for expenses. and
for wear and tear and for profit"
Who writes the letters making the
offer-the one with the actual figures, I
mean?" the son continued.
Il do" the elder Whittier explained. st
have always done it."
"You don't dictate them TO a typewrft-
er?' Paul pursued.
Certainly not" the father responded
81 write them with my own hand-and
what's more, / take the press copy my
self. and there is a special letter book for
such things. This letter book is kept ale
ways ia the safe in this office-in fact,
can say that this particular letter book
never leaves my hands except to go into
that safe. And. as YOU know. nobody has
access 10 that safe except Wheatcroft
and me"
And the major" corrected the junior
partner.
NO" Mr.. Whittier explained. Ivan
Zandt has no need TO 20 there now"
But he used to-" Mr.. Wheatcroft per-
sisted.
He did once" the senior partner re-
turned but when we bought those new
safes outside there in the main Office there
was no longer any need of the chief book
keeper TO go to this smaller safe. and so,
last month-it was while you were Away,
Wheatcroft-Van Zandt came in here one
afternoon, and said that as he never had
occasion to go 10 this safe, he would
rather not have the responsibility of
knowing the combination. / told him we
had perfect confidence In him
Il should think So" broke in the ex-
plosive Wheatcroft. 1.-THE major has been
with US thirty years now. I'd suspect my
SELF or petty larceny as soon as him"
AS l said" continued the elder Whit
tier. II told him that we trusted him per-
fectly, OF course. But he urged me. and
10 please him / changed the combination
of this safe that afternoon. You will re-
member. Wheatcroft. that / gave you the
new word the day you came back
Yes, | remember said Mr.. Wheat
croft But l don't see why the major
did not want TO know how to open that
safe. Perhaps he is beginning TO feel his
years now. He must be 90, the major
and I've been thinking for some time he
looked worn"
Five minutes later Mr.. Whittier, Mr.
Wheatcroft and the only son OF the senior
partner left the glass-framed private Of
flee, and walking leisurely through the
long store. passed into the street.
They did not notice that the old book
keeper. Mai Van Zandt, whose high desk
was SO placed that he could overlook the
private office. had been watching them ev-
er since the messenger had delivered the
Dispatch