Evening star., 1909-08-29

NllE n
Williams over the telephone this morning that the
paper forgery.
How did it come YOU did not hear from the
Fourth National until this morning tuesday,"
asked Carleton.
Why, you see, Mr. Carleton we do not CORE
New Jersey business through the Mellor Trust Com
pany of Newark. The check sent out from here
Saturday afternoon, arrived in Newark Monday
morning. went to Orange at the close of business
Monday, and was received by the Fourth National
the first thing this morning. OF course, if we had
correspondent directly with the Fourth National,
should have known of the forgery day sooner, yes
terday. | have been trying all the morning to get
into communication with Mr.. Lessng, but without
avail His cashier informs that he left for Chi
cago on Saturday night.
Yes said Carleton; Il him there
Did you? That's odd, exclaimed Hasselmann.
"Wel he isn't there now. l called up the Lorraine
where was told he staying, and learned that he
started east yesterday afternoon
HIM He wasn't on the Flyer" was Careton's
out to the order of Curtiss Coz? he continued in
terrogativey.
Yes, and was indorsed over to Mr. Lessing by
that firm, replied Hasselmann
To him personally, or to Francis Lessing & Coz"
To him personally. For that reason, l could OBJ
tain information about it at his Office. The house
does considerable business with Howard Curtiss &
Co.; but no one knew anything of ninety thousand
dollar check due expected from that firm had
to word my questions carefully, as do not wish any
inkling of the trouble to get out at this time.
Then the only steps you have taken SO far have
been to notify and to make a
few guarded inquiries of Lessing &
Co.'S cashier!
That is the worst of it, Mr.
Carleton the president said
gravely. +" In times of financial un-
rest and distrust like the present,
it is important to avoid publicity
in such-er-matters, far
- possible. And while, as have said
and believe, this company cannot
- be held ultimately liable for the
- money out ninety thousand
dollars to-day. Rumor begets
rumor and if the fact was known it
/: ! !. |. | ] | !.
might cause US no little embarrass-
nSaA ment though should hardly look
for a run the company S depos-
it's We were drawn very heav-
vi ily Yesterday and to-day, and
while, of course our institution is
sp1endidly solvent and fourishng,
Nl a young concern and as
N YOU know public confidence is
sAW easily shaken l have heard
"/4 ports of your skill in such matters,
and as it was the name of your
firm that was used, / thought you
might naturally like to"
"Take up the investigation per-
rcEY sonalv?" finished Carleton.
why yes'' assented Hassel-
mann 1t hardly seems fair to
our customer Mr.. Lessng, who is
) also depositor in the Fourth Ma
tiona1 to give the facts to the po-
lice until we consult with him.
Mr.. Williams feels the same wa;.'
We'll you're quite right, said
Carleton; L shall enter upon this
investigation with peculiar relish.
l have Just time to get the twelve
ten train for Orange, if | start
now,' and he soon on his way
to the ferry at 23d-st.
TN the thirtv-minute trip the
Said Carleton train Carleton turned the affair
Nv" over and over in his mind but the
ha1 o1ro6 of # he MOI nPr