The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-08-05
THE CASE OF THE VANISHED
BONDS.

-
Fiske, the great New York banking
house. instantly appealed to Mr.. Boyd,
instead OF applying TO the police or at
the central office for assistance posi-
bly, may always remain open 10 general
conjecture. For the whole truth con-
corning Mr.. Felix Boyd cannot here be
told. Doubtless there are many who
can disclose the facts pertaining 70 his
extraordinary talents, as we'll as those
relating 10 his peculiar mission in and
about Wall street but their lips in
variably are closely sealed upon the
subject
Therefore,an very comprehensive dis
closures, IL made by one now confiden-
TALLY received in intimate relations by
Boyd himself. in order that some ac-
counts OF his remarkable work may for
the first time be published, could be
regarded only as a dishonorable betray-
al OF really portentous secrets.
Mr.. Felix Boyd, however, while the
subject of much curious speculation, is
not quite the man of mystery suggested
by the above. He is not entirely a
stranger to frequenters of that strenu-
Gus section of New York which lies
south of Fulton street, the home of the
stock exchange, the sub-treasury, the
greatest banks and banking houses of
the country and wealthy diamond deal
street "doadline' Mr.. Felix Boyd is not
wholly unknown.
Frequenters OF Wall and Broad streets
occasionally see him walking aimlessly
about-a reserved, well-dressed man,
close upon 40, of erect and athletic
build, with a smoothly-shaven, clean
cut face. lighted by pair Of seemingly
indifferent yet keenly observant gray
eyes.
1t is known that Boyd has an office
in Pine street, but for what business
purposes few can tell. 1t is thought,
too that he has secret relations of
some sort with the police and the CEN
trail office, though not in any official
capacity; for he at times is seen TO be
very friendly with Mr.. Jimmie Cole
man, a plain-clothes man long sta
toned an the localities mentioned.
Some. few wiseacres. indeed, go so
far as to openly assert that Boyd is
neither more nor less than an American
Sherlock Holmes-a man of most ex-
traordinary detective ability in the Sc
Cret employ of some of the great bank
ing institutions and their immediate
resort in any great criminal emergen-
cy; but the opinion of these wiseacres,
"a a matter of fact, is not worth whit
more than that of many less preten-
tiOuS observer.
be all lndl DIS IL may. MI ella DOyu
was the man hurriedly sent for by
Messrs. Curry. Gale & Fiske. and who
promptly appeared at their banking Of
fiCes i'm Wall street in response to their
urgent summons. He was received by
Mr.. Fiske, the junior partner, whose
pale face and disturbed manner evinced
considerable mental distress, and who
at once conducted Felix Boyd into
private office.
nd
a most mystifying affair" he FASTENED
10 explain. in a nervous, jerky fashion.
Both of my partners are absent-Mr.
Curry out of town and Mr.. Gale at the
exchange-and l am at my wits end
over our loss"
We'll, well, calm yourself" Boyd
coolly advised, taking chair. Give
me the main facts as briefly and quick
ly as possible"
They may be stated in a nutshell.
Mr. Benson, one of our most trusty
clerks, left here half an hour ago to
take some bonds and gold to the SUBJ
treasury. He hal the coin and securi-
ties in a leather bag, which did not
orce leave his hand during the trip.
Yet upon arriving at the sub-treasury
and opening the bag he discovered that
the bonds were missing. We are COM
PEELED TO believe that they were abb
stracted during his journey, in spite of
the fact that the means employed ap-
pear utterly inexplicable. Benson at
once returned"
"Wait? Boyd abruptly interposed.
THAT really is all you know about the
case, Mr.. Fiske, is it?"
why, yes, except what Benson has
stated"
IT will hear the details from Benson's
own lips, If you please, Hold on! Don't
call him vet. Evidently this is case
recurring rapid work, if anything is to
be accomplished, and I can get at it
quickest in my own way. What about
this Benson? Do you believe him hon
est?"
Perfectly. He has been in our en-
plov many years, and his habits are ex-
eupIary. He is about IS, and lives in
Brooklyn with his aged mother and a
maiden sister"
do you know if he has any pressing
need for money just now? Is he ad-
dicted 10 speculation
mo, no never 1T is rigid rule here
that none of the clerks shall speculate
in the market / do not believe that
Renson ever has violated that rule
What is the value of the stolen
bonds?"
Nearly $4,000"
Negotiable"
Yes"
rs it your custom frequently to send
Ont securities in this way?
"Ouite frequently. The amount to-
dav however. was considerably larger
than usual" -,
"Abi is that SO? Quite unfortunate!
said Rovd, with an odd CLEAN in his at
tentive gray eyes. rs Benson always
vour messenger on such occasions
Almost invariably.
Enough" said Boyd, tersely. call
him in here.
word from Mr.. Fiske brought Ben
son into the private office.
He was a tall, spare man, win a
rather cadaverous face, just then as
void of color as the linen at his throat
A more poignant distress scarce could
be depicted i'm a human countenance
and Boyd saw ar glance that rear was
his predominating sentiment.
.'Sit down, Mr.. Benson, said he IN
his crisp, curt fashion. You have met
with a great misfortune this morning.