Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-06-24
CHAPTER I.

IN important institution, and from It's
large staff, presents the appearance OF
a government Office. In an old-fashlened
way the bankers dwelling is under the
same roof His private office IS on the
arst floor over the offices, and leads INTO
his own apartments, which communicate
directly with the bank by means OF
narrow staircase, opening into the room
occupied by the head cashier.
This cashroom is reckoned proof
against all attacks, able to stand a siege
being sheathed in steel like an ironclad'
A strong gate prevents q burglar coming
down through the fireplace. Clamped TO
the wall is a formidable chest calculated
30 fill with longing the man whose WealIh
may be comprised III one little wallet.
This masterpiece of wrought-lron IS
six feet by four and a half with triple
sides, and divided into separate hreproot
compartments. 1t is opened by speclal
rev. but this cannot be inserted into the
lock, or used, unless the five knobs on
which are the alphabetical letters, are
turned to form a word in combination.
This word is often changed, as usual III
ouch cases. The banker and his chief
teller alone know it, and they alone nave
a key in duplicate.
On certain morning in February the
bank clerks were all busy in their de-
partments, ut about ten o'clock, when
sne named Cavaillon suddenly raised the
warning cry:
Here comes the cashier.
Prosper Bertomy, the head cashier OF
shs bank, was a tall, handsome man OF
about thirty, with fair hair and large,
dark blue eyes, scrupulously neat and
dressed in the fashion.
"Ah. here you arc!" cried Cavaillon.
"Some one has just been asking for you.
"Who? The iron manufacturer, was 1t
aot? Well, he will come back again
Knowing that | would come late this
morning, ] made all my arrangements
yesterday"
Prosper had unlocked his office door,
and, as he finished speaking, entered and
closed it behind him.
look" exclaimed one of the clerks,
"there is a man who sits up all night,
and doesn't feel like going to work early
In the morning. Did you notice how
yery pale he looked when he came inY'
A moment later the cashroon door
suddenly opened, and the teller appeared
before them with tottering step and a
haggard look on his ashy face.
"Robbedw he gasped, his Mortified ex-
preston, hollow voice and trembling lips
betraylng such fearful suffering that the
clerks jumped up from their desks and
ran toward him. They gathered round
and begged him to explain.
"AH the cash in the safe has been
faken" said Bertomy, as soon as he had
recovered; ''three packets each of one
Hundred thousand franc notes, and one Of
Atty thousand-all four done up In one
paper wrapper, tied and sealed"
With tho swiftness Of lightning the
aews had spread, and the main room was
crowded with the inquisitive. AS Cavall-
Ion was about to run and tell the banker,
he arrived, having already been notified.
IL Andre Fauvel was man of nifty,
Inclined to stoutness, medium i'll height,
gray haired, and with a slight stoop like
brain workers The news had extremely
agitated him, for his usually tlorid face
was pale.
What is this hear has happenedT"
ne said to the clerks, who respectfully
stood aside when he entered the room.
Monsieur" began the cashier, hay
ing. as you know, a payment to make
his morning, l yesterday drew from the
Bank of France three hundred and fifty
thousand francs"
"Why yesterday, monsieurT interrupt
ed the banker. II think have hum
3red times ordered you to wait until the
pay day"
.'I know it. monsieur, and did wrong
10 disobey you. But the evil is done.
Yesterday evening 1 locked the money
up; it has disappeared, and yet the safe
Ras not been broken OPEN"
You must be mad"' exclaimed NJ.
Fauvel; speak! Who do you pretend
10 say opened the safe? Answer me.
No one but you and l know the secret
word. No one but you and | had keys"
'In other words, MONSIEUR, l am the
only person who could have taken this
money"
Unhappy wretch
Prosper drew himself to his full height,
sud, looking NJ. Fauvel square in the
face, added:
'Or you"'
The banker made q threatening ges-
tRre, and there is no knowing what
would have happened if they had not
Been interrupted by loud, angry voices at
the front door.
man insisted upon entering, and sue
seeded in forcing his way in. 1t was NJ.
de Clameran, the iron founder, who did
not appear to observe anything unusual.
He advanced, and, without lifting his
lat, said in an impertinent tone:
1T is after ten O'clock, gentlemen. l
congratulate myself upon finding you in
at last. l have been here once before
this morning, and now | am refused ad-
nittance, and am compelled to force my
way in. Be so good as to tell me wheth-
or l can have my money"
NJ. Fauvel's flushed face turned pale
with anger. as he listened to this inso-
sence; yet he controlled himself.
II would be obliged to you. monsieur
sor short delay. This morning, this
very instant, l find l have been robbed
Of three hundred and fifty thousand
Srancs."