Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-17

for me to put up for only few weeks
million and a half dollars. If took in some
one else on the proposition, my share would
have been trivial, and here in my bank was
a million and half dollars that | could use.
l took it, to put the deal through. There's
no doubt in the world that | should have
been able to return it, and no man would
have been the wiser except for the accident,
whatever it was, by which you learned the
bonds were missing.
Nov, I'm not trying to whitewash my
self at all l violated the laws, because l
took money that did not belong to me to
make money for myself. You upset all W
plans, and it cost me millions. Understa1 |
that, millions! That day saw you at tie
Cafe de la Paix | knew intuitively why you
were in Paris; so when the bonds disap
peared from this room | knew you had them,
though how they came into your possession
couldn't figure. l don't know yet. sent
d Aubigny to you and offered you one hum
dred thousand dollars to keep your hands off.
You are pleased to think that you have saved
my business reputation by saving your own;
but there was never a moment when my
business reputation, or yours, was in danger.
That's all l have to say. Your resignation
will be accepted
Mr.. CLARKE had not raised his
~ voice at all, nor had there come the
slightest change in the expression of Mr..
Smiths face. 1t was all as if they were
discussing some trivial thing of utter incon-
sequence.
Unfortunately, Mr.. Clarke, am hon
est" remarked Mr.. Smith. 1--WE worked
for you for twenty years-you know I'm hon
est. Being honest, | can't get to your view
point, and after all it's of no Importance
He Aru har of
matter between us may lead to unpleasant
personalities. Fortunately, it was not per-
mitted to get into the newspapers here, so
there is no danger, and I'm sailing for home
by the first boat. Ill contrive to place the
bonds where they belong. and Immediately
upon your return I'll tender my resignation
formally. So far as I'm concerned, the thing
is over. I'm sorry you We been i'll, sir, and
sincerely hope YOU II be in your usual good
health soon. I'm going back home to
Passaic!"
Clarke proffered shriveled hand; appar-
emily Mr.. Smith didn't see it.
Smith, I'm sorry" he said simply.
SO am |, Mr.. Clarke was the response.
1T means more to me than you under
stand" He was thinking of Edna. Again
he turned away, as If to go.
A ND the bonds?" queried Clarke Where
are they? How did you manage to keep
them hidden from the pol1ce2 Are you car
rying them about your persona
Oh the bonds" Mr.. Smith said list
lessly. ust at this moment most of them
are in charge of the French Government, and
the others are in charge of the British Gov
eminent.
In charge of the" began Mr.. Clarke,
amazed 'HOW-What-"
The first thing did when they came into
my possession was to get rid of them" Mr..
Smith informed him. I'D already had one
little run-in with the police, as you know,
and l felt safer to dispose of them immedi-
ately"
But in charge of the French Govern
menti How do you mean?"
Il knew couldn't pass the customs in
spectors in New York with million and a
half dollars worth of bonds in my possession
without at least attracting attention. They
would have had to know who | was, where |
got them, and all the rest of it. That would
mean questions at the bank, and inevitable
discovery of the facts in the case. | knew
too that mail matter in the form of letters
is never opened; So" Mr.. Smith waved his
hands deprecatingly, 80 | mailed the
bonds.