The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-07-14

offered me a first mortgage on his
brewing plant in New York-the Amer
lean Distiiling company. Now, Cap
tam Smith, though a man may be
1901 one day doesn't argue he remains
one for the entire year. Though l had
never seen this MIR. Fithian before.
there was something in the eyes behind
the glasses that awoke a vague, un-
pleasant memory in me. l may say
nave a memory like fypapeT-eveTy-
thing sticks to it. / am positive that
this Mr. Fithian, artistically disguised
Is the jolly. good-natured Mr. Homer
the California capitalist who did me up
so satisfactorily on that bond deal six
months ago. As / had been a victim
once, he naturally inferred that / would
be victim twice. What particular
bunco game he has in mind now l do
not pretend to say
Il am a clever man, Captain Smith,
whatever my associates may believe to
the contrary. Therefore when MIR
F1thian intimated that he was COM
PEELED to return to New York last
night, and as l also had business here
today, | accepted his invitation to dine
with him at his home tonight and dis
cuSS the terms of the proposed loan
Meantime l called up the head of every
New York brewery and ascertained
that there is no Mr.. Fithian connected
with them nor the American Distilling
company. | thought, Captain Smith,
that you might accept an invitation to
be an unexpected guest at the dinner"
But are you sure. despite your con-
victions to the contrary. that this is
not some huge blunder. Mr. Wilson ?"
| asked, cycling him keenly. 81 cannot
afford 10 be made a laughing stock
Remember, you have only the evidence
of your eyes to go by"
Il feel sure, I'm quite right" he said
slowly. I'm positive this Fithian is
Horner and he the Professor How
ever, L appreciate your position, Cap
tain Smith. As you cannot leave your
self open to criticism, suppose you drop
in i'm plain clothes, about half way
through dinner. I'll say I'm expecting
a friend. By that time I'll know posi-
lively where ] stand. If I'm right I'll
squeeze your hand twice i'm shaking
hands with you. Then you viii! know
what to do. Is that satisfactory"
l thought the proposition swiftly
over. The adventurous side of the sit
uatiOn appealed to me. There was
possibility of it being a blunder-a case
of mistaken identity. On the other hand
there was nothing to lose and every
thing to gain. Yes. everything to gain
the biggest catch i'm the country.
Very well, Mr.. Wilson," I said de-
cisively, Il will be there at Q o'clock to-
night
very good, Captain Smith" and he
rose. i hope we will be successful. By
the way, here is that bond / advanced
the loan on six months ago. ] brought
it along as / knew you would require
evidence He extracted it from his
wallet Myself and Cashier Mowbray
are the only ones who know of its eX-
istence.' He hesitated a moment, his
hand on the door. Il would like very
much" he began hesitatingly. eff l
would not be drawn into the case. |
mean about the bond loan. The evil
dence of the A. bank would serve
quite as we'll for conviction"
Very well, Mr.. Wilson, as you have
volunteered valuable information l will
see that your matter does not get into
the press"
Thank YOU" he said. You under
stand, I must be careful of the-the in
tegrity of the bank" and he was gone
| spent fifteen minutes carefully re-
viewing the entire incident. Then l
looked at Mr. Wilson's card and the
forged bond. Everything was perfect
ly straight, but my adventure with
Mr.. Browning had brought me dou-
BILE distilled caution and distrust Mr.
story with corrObOrative evidence. but
still. To clinch the matter l called up
the National bank of Stamford, Conn,
on the long distance phone.
who is president Of this bank?" l
asked.
who is it?" came the reply.
I explained.
Mr.. Wilson" was the delayed an
SWer
Can 1 have Mr.. Wilson on the
Wire?"
Mr.. Wilson is in New York"
Then kindly connect me with the
cashier, Mr.. MOwbray," I said.
/ hardly needed further corrObora-
tion. but I took no chances. The wire
clicked and buzzed and then emitted d
muffied Hello"
Hello. Did the National bank ad-
vance to a Mr.. HOrner, six months ago.
a loan on government bond which
proved a forgery?" i
asked quickly.
The wire buzzed. Again came the de-
mand who 1 was. Then came the qUes-