Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-04
BY PERCIE w. HART

frank tones of his voice I gazed at the pile
Of crisp bank notes upon my desk. 1t seemed alb
solutely impossible that could run the slightest
risk in the present transaction. But, neverthe-
less, my usually steady hand trembled as took
out my own check book and filed in blank for
the desired amount.
"Run up and see us whenever you happen to
be passing along way said DelacroN, as
he carelessly crumpled the check in his vest
pocket. AFTER you get to know us and admire
our manner of doing business, may ask you to
risk some money. You shall hear something
pleasant about ths--your first little investment
with us--wthin thirty days"
AS bade him adieu carefully abstained from
referring in any way to future possibilities l
did not want to hurt his feelings, for l had
taken one of those sudden unaccountable hk-
ings to the man (smply mani, but, IN spite
of this, was determined to keep my eyes VIDE
open in regard to the company which he repre-
sented. A few moments after his departure q
bank clerk came hastily into my Office, breath
ing fast from hurried run.
"Mr Skimpkins" he said between gasps, "a
Mr.. Eugene Delacroix-has just presented-a
check for fifty thousand dollars-of yours-pay'
able to bearer-is it all right?"
yes yes" ! retorted hastily; doesn't your
paying teller know my signature yet!
'I beg your pardon, sir," replied the young
banker eagerly; with checks of such large
amount, payable without Identification, we al
wavs like to take every precaution especially as
Mr.. Delacroix wants the money all in gold
"He wants it in gold, eh?" l repeated after
the young man, showing my own wonder very
plainly.
Eyes, sir Is it all right?"
"Why, Of course, it's all right. Is not my sigma.
ture just as good for gold as for any other KIND
of money!" 7 retorted, angry at my own Ill
grounded suspicious.
With another muttered apology, the youngster
ran off again. and was left to my own rehec
tions: but look at the matter in whatsoever light
chose, was forced to confess that there seemed
not the slightest ground for distrust.
However, determining to leave no possible stone
unturned, I at once sent out to my commercial
agency for report. With all the lrreieVan'
matter which these worthy people seem to lnaag-
inc necessary in order to convince their clients
that thew are getting good service for their money
left out. the report read about as follows:
"The Universal Investment and Security
Company, Ltd
Incorporated to do general investment
and loan business about year ago, Dut only
commenced actual business within the past
month General Manager Delacroix stated to
our representative that the full capital OF one
million dollars had been paid in cash. That
tbev required no credit, and they consequently
asked no rating That the business of the
company was investment pure and SIMPLE
but of what precise nature he did not care
to state at present. MIR. d. also refused prl-
vate antecedents without deigning to give any
reason and his brusque treatment OF our
representative was decidedly marked. The
question of present financial standing, how
ever ia extremely good No less than seven
teen banks report generous-sHed open ac
counts with the company and that the first
denosits were made in gold. A number OF
very large checks already passed through
these accounts, and the company has made
number of heavy deposits, almost invariably
in gold"
could not help but smile to myself as read
the last sentence ''Wonder if many of the checks
are like my own The company evidently has
decided predilection for gold coin" l muttered
Then a Aush of shame spread over my cheeks
at tbc miserably suspicious part was playing.
And why?
S;mnlv because Delacroix had named very
high percentage of profit because he had placed
in nv hands dollar in cash In exchange for
each dollar that I had given him. is 1t possible.
| reasoned with myself that years OF soruld
attention to business details had so warped my
Judgment, that am no longer able to look upon
even an upright action without suspicion
I am perfectly willing to confess that slept
hut little upon that eventful night lhe com.
pany. its general manager, the peculiar moae OF
onerations-these formed the main theme OF my
waking thoughts, and they followed me even INTO
dreamland itself, and showed themselves IN all
those distorted and contradictory shapes which
Obtain in that mysterious region.
The very next day / determined to accept the
managers cordial invitation, and a few minutes
before Trinity chimed the hour of noon found
me- ensconced in a swiftly moving elevator, as
cendnp to the twentyffth floor of the Atlas
Building. c.,, -,
"Out. Universal /. and S. Co. Menty-ffth!"
called the elevatorInan in the sing-song accents
of his cult as the car came to standstlll and
the door slid back upon its changing wheeways.
Scarcely had my feet crossed the threshold when
it closed again behind me, and the car and Its
little proup of passengers shot upward.
T found myself in front of a massive glazed
doorway, bearing upon its surface IN gut letters
the full name of the company, that of its general
manager and additional information, Rooms
25O1 to 2526" No other door opened from
off the hallway, so it was evident that tile
concern must occupy the entire floor.
Ere had time to proceed any further IN my
thoughts the door swung wide open, and an elder
" attendant in plain yet rich-looking livery es-
corted me into small anteroom' My card was
taken from my hand by the veteran, and be-
ing placed upon a silver salver was turned over
10 an understudy in three rows OF buttons, and
within few moments the latter had returned
and was preceding me towards the private ofnce
of the general manager.
This seemed to be situated at almost the ex-
treme end of the suite, for l passed through
ell dozen or more of rooms before reaching it,
THE first one or two were occupied by a force