Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-10-14
CHAPTER /

way the bankers dwelling is under the
same roof. His private Office is on the
first floor over the offices, and leads into
his own apartments, which communicate
directly with the bank by means of a
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 a burglar coming
down through the fireplace. Clamped to
the wall is a formidable chest, calculated
to fill with longing the man whose wealth
may be comprised in one little wallet.
This masterpiece Of wrought-iron is
six feet by four and half, with triple
sides, and divided into separate freproof
compartments. 1t is opened by special
key, 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 in
such cases. The banker and his chief
teller alone know it, and they alone have
a key in duplicate.
On a certain morning in February the
bank clerks were all busy in their de-
partments, at about ten o'clock, when
one named Cavaillon suddenly raised the
warning cry:
Here comes the cashier!'
Prosper Bertomy, the head cashier Of
the bank, was tall, handsome man of
about thirty, with fair hair and large,
dark blue eyes, scrupulously neat and
dressed in the fashion.
"Ah, here you are!" cried Cavaillon
"Some one has just been asking for you"
"Who? The iron manufacturer, was it
not? Well, he will come back again.
Knowing that 1 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.
"Lookw exclaimed one Of the clerks,
"there is man who sits up all night,
and doesn't feel like going to work early
in the morning. Did you notice how
very pale he looked when he came in?"
A moment later the cashroom door
suddenly opened, and the teller appeared
before them with tottering step and
haggard look on his ashy face.
"Robbedw he gasped, his Mortified ex-
preston, hollow voice and trembling lips
betraying such fearful suffering that the
clerks jumped up from their desks and
ran toward him. They gathered round
and begged him to explain.
"An the cash in the safe has been
taken" said Bertomy, as soon as he had
recovered three packets each of one
hundred thousand franc notes, and one Of
fifty thousand-all four done up in one
paper wrapper, tied and sealed"
With the swiftness of lightning the
news had spread, and the main room was
crowded with the inquisitive AS Oavail-
lon was about to run and tell the banker,
he arrived, having already been notified.
M. Andre Fauvel was a man of fifty,
inclined to stoutness, medium In height,
gray haired, and with a slight stoop like
brain workers. The news had extremely
agitated him, for his usually forid face
was pale.
"What is this hear has happened"
he said to the clerks, who respectfully
stood aside when he entered the room.
Monsieur" began the cashier, "hav-
ing, as you know, payment to make
this morning, yesterday drew from the
Bank of France three hundred and fifty
thousand francs"
why yesterday, monsieur" interrupt
ed the banker II think / have a hun
dred times ordered you to wait until the
pay day"
81 know it, monsieur, and did wrong
to disobey you. But the evil Is done.
Yesterday evening l locked the money
up; it has disappeared, and yet the safe
has not been broken open"
"You must be madv' exclaimed NJ
Fauvel; "speak! Who do you pretend
to say opened the safe? Answer me.
No one but you and l know the secret
word. No one but you and l had keys"
"In other words, monsieur, l am the
only person who could have taken this
money"
Unhappy wretchv'
Prosper drew himself to his full height,
and, looking M. Fauvel square in the
face, added:
"Or you!"
The banker made a threatening ges-
ture, and there is no knowing what
would have happened IL they had not
been interrupted by loud angry voices at
the front door.
A man insisted upon entering and sue
ceeded in forcing his way in. 1t was M
de Clameran, the iron founder, who did
not appear to observe anything unusual
He advanced, and, without lifting his
hat, said in an impertlnent tone:
at is after ten o'clock, gentlemen. !
congratulate myself upon finding you In
Mt last. | have been here once befor,
this morning, and now l am refused ad
mittance, and am compelled to force mi
way in. Re so good as to tell me wheth
er / can have my money"
NJ. Fauvel's flushed face turned pal,
with anger, as he listened to this inso
lence; yet he controlled himself.
81 would be Obliged to you, monsieur
for short delay. This morning, thi
very instant, / find have been robbet
of three hundred and fifty thousan,