The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-09-12
NY Strangest Case
BY GUY BOOTHBY.
Author of .'Dr. Klkola,'' "The Beautiful
White Devil" "Pharos, Tho
Egyptian" Etc.
CHAPTER III.-CoNr1NuEp
copyrighted, 1901. by Ward. Lock g Col

CHAPTER III.-CONTINUED.
He had scarcely gone before one of
any clerks entered the room and
sranded me card. On it was printed
the name of Mr.. Edward Bayley, and
In the left-hand bottom corner was
Che announcement that he was the
managing director of the Santa Cruz
Mining company of Forzoda in the
Argentine Republic.
SHOW the gentleman in, Walters"
said
In few minutes tall, handsome
man, irreproachably turned out, en-
tered the office. He seated himself in
g chair the clerk placed for him, put
his hat and umbrella on another, and
then turued to me.
My card has made you familiar
with my name, Mr.. Fairfax" he be-
gan. "and doubtless, if you are at all
familiar with mines and mining, you
sRre acquainted with the name of the
company 1 have the honor to repre-
.sent?''
II am very much afraid the min
sng market does not possess very
much interest for me-" I replied. az
Siaye to work SO hard for my money,
shat when l have got it I prefer to
invest it in something little more
reliable. May I inquire the nature
of your business with me?"
II have come to see you, Mr.. Fair
fax," he said, speaking very impress
siveiy, and regarding me deliberately
as he did SO, ION rather a delicate
subject. Before I explain what it is,
may ask that you will treat what
am about to tell you as purely con-
ddential?"
"Ny business is invariably a conf
dental one" I answered for the sec
ond time in two days. 81 venture to
think that this room has heard more
secrets than almost any other in
England. But though they say walls
have ears, l have never heard it said
that they have tongues"
"It is sometimes good thing that
they have not" he replied. "And
f,ow let me tell you what business
t,as brought me here. In the first
place, if you do not already know it,
may say that the company I repre-
sent is an exceedingly wealthy one,
and, as our business lies long way
from Threadncedle street, if l may
SO put it, it is necessary for us to
trust very largely to the honesty of
our employees on the other side of
the world. OF course we make al:
sorts of Inquiries about them prior
to engaging their services, and it is
also needless to say that we keep a
sharp eye on them when they have
entered our employ. Nevertheless, it
is quite possible, all precautions not
withstanding, for an unscrupulous
slan to take advantage of us. AS a
matter of fact, this is what has hap
pened, and what has also brought
ne to you. For some considerable
time past we have had our suspicious
that our manager at the mines has
been in league with notorious ras-
sal in New York. In proof of this,
= nnighs say that our returns have
shown decided falling off, while
our manager has, so we have lately
discovered, within the past year be-
come rich enough to purchase prop
rrty to considerable extent in the
Caited States. Unfortunately for us,
ewing TO a lack Of direct evidence,
we arc unable to bring his defaIca-
lions home to him, though of course
we are as certain of our facts as we
can well be of anything"
81 think | understand" L said.
~y.oul business with me is to endeax-