The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-09-02
CHAPTER I.

Precisely why Messra.
Curry Gale s. Fiske. the
great New York banking
house, instantly appealed
TO Mr.. Boyd instead OF applying to
the police or al the central office for as
sistance. possibly may always remain
omen 10 general conjecture. For the
whole truth concerning Mr.. Felix
Bovd can not here be told. Doubtless
there are many who can disclose the
facts pertaining 10 his extraordinary
talents. as well as those relating 70
his peculiar mission IN and about
Wall Street, but their lips Invariably
are closely sealed upon the subject.
Therefore. any very comprehensive
disclosures. # made By one now CON
hdentlauy received I'm Intimate rela-
ticns by Boyd himself, IN order that
some accounts of his remarkable work
may for the FIRST time be published.
could be regarded only as a dishonor-
able betrayal OF really pOrtentous
secrets
Mr.. Felix Boyd. however. while the
subject OF much curious speculation.
Is not quite the man OF mystery sug-
gested by tho above. He Is not entire
~ a stranger 70 frequenteTs OF that
that strenuous 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
the wealthy diamond dealers OF
Maiden Lane. Below this Fulton
street dead line" Mr.. Felix Boyd Is
not wholly unknown.
Frequenters OF Wall and Broad
streets occasionally see him walking
ainIessIy about-a reserved, we'll
dressed man close upon forty. OF erect
and athletic build, with smoothly
shaver. clean-Cut face, lighted by
pair Of seemingly indifferent yet keen
IL observant gray eyes.
Il is known that Boyd has an office
IN Pine street. but for what business
purposes few can tell. II Is thought.
100, that he has secret relations OF
some sort with the police and the cen
-ral ONCE, though not IN any Official
capacity; for he at times is seen 20 be
-ery friendly with Mr.. Jimmie Cole
nan. a plain-Clothes man long sta
.ioned IN the localities mentioned.
Some Few wiseacres, indeed, go as
ar as 10 openly assert that Boyd is
neither more nor less than an Amer
can Sherlock Holmes. a man OF most
Extraordinary detective ability In the
ecret employ OF some OF the great
banking institutions. and their imme-
late resort In any great criminal
Emergency. but the opinion OF these
rviseacres. as mater OF fact, Is not
worth whit more than that OF many
less preteutious observer.
Be all that as II may, Mr.. Felix
Hoyd was the man hurriedly sent for
nv Messrs. Curry. Gale & Fiske, and
a-ho promptly appeared at their bank
..lg ofnCes in Wall street in response
r, their urgent summons. He was re-
.ziyed by MT Fiske, the Junior part
or whose pale face and disturbed
manner evlnced considerable mental
distress. and who at once conducted
Felix Boyd into a private box
ITS q case OF robbery, Mr.. Boyd,
md a most nlystifying affair" he has
med TO explain, IN a nervous, Jerky
ashton. Both OF my partners are
sbsent-Mr. Curry out OF town, and
sIr. Gale at the Exchange-and am
my Wis emu over bAA 4t=as
We'll. well. calm yourself" Boyd
-oIly advised, taking a chair. Give
q the main facts as briefly and quick
v as possible"
They may be stated IN nutshell
sCr. Benson. one OF our most trusty
Jerks. left here half an hour ago 70
axe some bonds and gold TO the sub
--easury. He had the coin and securi-
les IN a leather bag. which did not
nee leave his hand during the trip
yet upon arriving at the subtreasury
nd opening the bag, he discovered
-aat the bonds were missing. We are
e1mpelled to believe that they were
distracted during his Journey, II spite
% the fact that the means employed
lppear utterly inexplicable. Benson
az once returned
Watt Boyd abruptly interposed.
That really is all you know about the
-4se, Mr. Fiske, isn't it2''
Why. yes. except what Benson has
ated."
L will hear the details from Ben
s1n's own lips. II you please. Hold on!
Don't call him yet. Evidently this Is
e. case requiring rapid work, II any
ming is TO be accomplished, and 1
an get at il quickest in my own way.
What about this Benson? Do you be-
Leve him honest?"
Perfectly. He has been in our EN-
ploy for many years. and his habits
are exemplary. He Is about forty
I'VE, and lives IN Brooklyn with his
aged mother and a maiden sister. "
DO you know il he has any press
Ing need for money Just now? Is he
addicted TO speculation
NO, no, never. II is a rigid RUE
here that none Of our clerks shall
speculate IN the market. do not be
heve that Benson ever has violated
that rule"
What is the value OF the stolen
bonds?''
Nearly 81. 900"
Negotiable"
Yes"
us II your custom frequently to
send out securities in this way9''
quite frequently. The amount to-
day. however. was considerably larger
than usual"
Septic N b er 2, 10