Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-08-19
Martha baxter" And i've minutes
later the perplexed landlady was snor-
inu in unison with her slumberlng
r,,I
CHAPTER Nv.


Dr. somcrville Plays His Hand.
When Richard Somerville had once
decided upon Il course of action, ne
wss not the man to hesitate about FOL
lowing it up. He drove straight to the
London and Westminster Bank ana
| boldly presented the Endorsed draft Tor
f2,5OO. The cashier glanced ut the IN
! dorsement, ERNEST C. Norton" lie re-
marked, as though tie name were not
very familiar to him. "Oh, yes; l re-
member now. The manager has given
Instructions that you are to be shown
into his private room whenever you
should call, sir" ~,
every WE'LL" replied somerville. Il
shall see him.
"rhen please pass around to the
right" said the cashier, land l Will
take you to him."
"Mr. Ernest Norton, believer SAID
the manager, half-in4uiringly.
Somcrville bowed, scarce daring to
trust his voice.
"Glad to make your acquaintance
Mr.. Norton" continued the manager,
rising to extend Il plump, white hand.
"Our Bombay advices with respect to
you are most atisfactory-very much
80, indeed. I trust you had pleasant
voyage?"
"Fairly So" replied Somerville, at
venture, though the Red Sea passage
was rather trying. as usual"
"Ah, yes. of course" aSsented the
manager, blandly, ut always is, I'M
derstand. Well, Mr.. Norton, we are
quite at your orders with respect to
business matters
'eThey need not occupy much OF
your valuable tilne," remarked Somer-
Vile, who had now regained his self
possession. II wish, Of course, to con-
vert my drafts into money"
Naturally, my dear sir, was the
smiling rejoinder. "For what other
purpose do banks exist? Let me see.
think have some memoranda of
one or two little formalities in your
case. All, yes! here we are. The first,
apparently, concerns your signature"
EYES," assented Somerville, readily.
Il was advised, as a precaution, to
alter it to its present FORM"
$50 we were advised from Bombay.
May ask whether you propose to
leave your money with US on deposit
or to place it to current account?"
Somerville hesitated. There might
be some pre-arranged answer to this
apparently simple question hich Nor
ton had omitted to tell him. Once
more he had to take his chance, and
again Fortune befriended him.
II propose drawing the f., 500 draft
for immediate expenses" he answered,
coolly. 1.-THE other drafts shall util-
ize as necessity HAY arise or opportu-
nifty occur for Investment"
''Such is, in effect, the substance of
our Instructions" remarked the man
ager, referring to his memoranda,
though somewhat differently word
ed"
Somerville brca thed freely again.
There had been a trap in the question,
which he had escaped by the merest
good luck.
''You will pardon me if I venture to
question the wlsd':,a of your decision"
continued the manager, intent upon
doing a stIoke for the bank, "you
would thereby be losing the interest
that would accrue were you to place
the entire sum with us on deposit ac-
count"
THAT is true" said Somervllle, as
though this view 1T the case had not
occurred to him. ''The fact is, have
not yet thought the matter out and, in
any case, can do nothing definite this
morning, as have not brought the
other drafts with me. I rather think
shall invest the entire amount they
represent either in Consols or French
Rentes"
Every safe, certainly" said the man.
ager, by no means overpleased at the
suggested Withdra wal of so large a
sum, "but the rate Of interest is cru
ely low. However, Mr.. Norton, you
are the best judge, and we are entirely
at your orders. Meanwhile, shall in
struct the cashier to pay you f2,5UO.
How much shall you need in gold?"
''Not great DEAL" replied Somer-
vile. reciprocating the slight smile
which accompanied the last question.
"About forty-eight pounds will suf-
fee"
Better call it fifty. then" laughed
the manager, ringing for the cashier.
FIFTY be it, then" assented Somer-
vile. And, few minutes later, he
left the bank with the proceeds of the
draft III his pocket
So far all had gone we'll. Including
f4,S5O brought to London by Norton,
he had now 1880 in hand, besides
! drafts for 5000 more. and Jewels
| obviously worth an enormous sum,
And he had to consider how he should
| proceed with respect to these drafts
and the disposal of the jewels. He
had passed muster at the bank as Err
| nest Norton, and this would greatly
simplify subsequent Withdrawals. Yet
excessive haste in effecting such with
drawals might arouse suspicion; and.
besides, he needed more practice in
forging Norton's signature He would
open negotiations with some broker.
and, through him, would gradually
buy into foreign government securi-
| ties. :.
Then he would himself go abroad.
and quietly dispose of the Jewels in
| France or in Holland. Under what
| name should he buy foreign stocks
and travel? His own, or that Of En-
nest Norton, or an entirely new one?
This was, indeed, a knotty question
II under his own, other people besides
his wife, might be inquisitive as to the
origin Of his newly-acquired wealth.
If as Ernest Norton, some friends of
his own or the dead man might come
across his path and discover the i'm
posture. If he called himself, saw.
William Smith then inquiries would.
sooner or later, arise. as to the disap-
pearance of Richard Somerville and Of