The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-27
HIS CHECK WAS CASHED.


cape
HIS CHECK WAS CASHED.
How Cool Stranger Got Accommodation
in South America.
From the Chicago Record-Hsra'd.
Worthington Cheever the president OF the
Banco del Prado Of Bogota. was sitting IN
his private ONCE slicinH open his mail Most
Of II was from New York. for Mr.. Cheever
was an old Broadway beau. and many pink
and pale blue envelope. exhaling dainty
perfumes. had found him In his strange
environment in South America. He had been
there but six months. and his secretaries and
assistants had found out that the words
New York" or United States" on any
body's card were certain to win an audience
from their new chief. He was tall, strong.
we'll poised man Of flfty-six. widower with
two beautiful daughters an e1-Colonel OF
the Indian wars and a stately but deliberate
and cautious man OF affairs.
Senior James Trefny Of New York would
wish that he may speak with you. Senior. "
said the soft voiced once boy in dulcet Span
ish accents.
Thank you, Emilio. Show the gentle
man in" said President Cheever. with a
look OF pleased anticipation. though he could
not remember having ever met or heard OF
the visitor,
The young man who came in was perfectly
attired in we'll fitting hannels. In the pale
buff stock about his neck was fine gold
scarfpin set with diamonds. Upon his
finger a splendid solitaire sparkled In heavy
gold band. His hat was in his hand. and
Mr.. Cheever uoticed the singularly calm.
unconscious beauty Of his manly head and
u,os do rtr Nth ho IN ~ the aoa
but his thick fine hair was carefully arranged
and his whole manner betokened the patrician
man Of education. travel, gentleness and
courage. Cheever liked his looks and showed
his welcome In frank smile and q hearty
handshake. But he had reason to quickly
change this first favorable impression. for
Mr.. Trefny OF New York. sitting calmly be-
side him and speaking in measured. clear
tones in which there was not a suggestion
OF a tremor. said:
mfr. Cheever, this walking stick Is filled
with nitro-cotton; If you move Ill explode
it. There. quite still; that will do. Nitro
cotton is the new explosive just adopted by
the German Army and is. as you probably
know, the most terrible medium OF destruc-
ton ever perfected. 1t Is ignted by fuse
of mercury. See. here. in the handle Of my
cane, is the Illuminating cap Don't look
+. round. II any one comes in say you will be
busy for half an hour. Thank you, No
no! Don't tap your foot against the velvet
rug. 1t annoys me.
AS was saying, all haye to do is touch
this disk with my finger and you s nd !; tins
thing In it will be torn instantly to atoms
In such an event there would not be enough
Of US left for Or BURIAL in
vaults 1t would be scattered to the four
winds. o,
There was knock At the door. cheever
Say what told YOU or not. as you please.
said the lstteEs quietly .. .,,d ch..v.r
check on the Plaza Bank, your rival; you
know: 1t is made payable to me. James !,
is signed Homer o. Dunlevy.' and calls for
| $50. 900. You see. turning over the slip OF
paper Il have Endorsed H. I in form n,.i NoT
| a clerk, tell him to bring fifty o1e.thousand-
dollar bills. get them and hang them e over
1stnY hafay whoy You myshon fhs
cane. loaded With instant death for all Of US
| is the only argument l have. See. my finger
S sS0y yea the msk sk to bea Ts % woa
'' aRamon, Ramon called the banker, with
mG IN hs said ana as at 2
| "Ilwant it in all lar ge bills, thousand ca oh
| II possible" interrupted "Trefny." smiling
The The clerk disappeared bowins. came back
with the money, laid II before Cheever and
departed. Trefny reached across the table
IN bis inside pocket, waved his terrible cane
as In salute and said:
Thank you; ,xant but ten minutes te
that time III come back and wreck the bank
as a mere matter of protest. Adios. senior.
and he was gone.
| to the police inside of two, minutes: They
held the train, but they didn't find ,'rrefny
nor anybody like him; They ey.s searched iy tn tn
rette and highbail in his sumptuous room
the Hste del orn oo He He Md'
seize the awful cane which stood harmless
in remote corner while l. Irefny looked Ok
AS none OF his captors could speak English
and only Cheever was there to complete
spstched of tha xho
court was thus Installed. and the prisone ne,
put under oath. this odd criminal explained
vi I'm tho a Est place; gentlemen: especiall,
nut that bsnd s s swasd
the worst that can truthfully be said abou
| IT, Now, my name Is Homer O. Dunlev,
Of New York. and l robbed the Banco de
Prado-dont laugh. gentlemen-just to ties
my personal courage
Cheever sneered and the Magistrate phi
his tongue in his cheek.
oh, | assure you, gentlemen See?
holding up the letter he had begun. Il wa
Just in the act of writing n letter Of explana
tion to you, Mr. Cheever. /"
You had better quit this foolishness and
II you are telling the truth. return the $50 90
yon stole.
implies skulking.- smoking stealth so 4
speak. Besides. really needed the none
and intend to keep it,"
Put on the .manaces. ordered the Mag
istrate. gathering courage after hesitat
ing glance ut the walking-stick.
But ! protest" cried Trefny. lookinG
quite panied AZ he saw the fierce glances o
g yos Understands protest. Mr. cheev'r Don
Understand. The devil! or course.
don't understand anything but that yo
forced me to pay you $4,000 on a worth
Check interrupted Trefny. or Dun
levy. as he claimed. Why. my dear sir
that check is as good IA gold Have. .yo,
might have known you were too excited I
think Of that: But. before ! explain an
further, would You, Mr.. Cheever, and YOU
Senior. to the wondering Magistrate "woul
| you mind taking my check over to the Plsz
Bank? i. will he paid quite readily, on m
| word. All You have 10 do is TO indorse /,
MY deposit and letters Of credit are more tina
pleasant but overzonlous warriors of tn
police"
Ibeeyer and the Magistrate consulted to
| gether for moment. Then they went a wa