The San Francisco call., 1913-10-25

OF Allan's private Office in the Syndi-
cate building in New York.
But In the days that intervened be-
iore that moment Allan's experts had
been busy, and their labors had been
aiarmingly fruitful. They disclosed a
series OF remarkably ingenious false
entries and manipulation by which q
shortage that might be more than
$IV,0o0,000 had been adroitly covered
Allan had transcripts. copies and
notes covering these activities on his
desk when Wolf entered
Ine money trickster had planned
MS defense. He had plenty of time
coming over. He was filled with
dread when he received Allan's per-
emptory summons, but he rapidly
sketched out his explanation in case
MS private activities should have
peen discovered. No one was on the
real inside but Ransom and he could
trust Ransom. He was two days out
OF New York when the wireless told
him of Ranson's suicide.
The news struck him like a physi-
cal blow. He was mentally and physi-
cally paralyzed for an hour or moro
II Ransom had been driven to this
step things must be bad indeed. But
there was only one thing to do--blun
it out. he sent message to Allan
assuming all responsibility for RAN
son. There was no reply.
THE INTERVIEW
Summoning all of his nerve and
gripping cigar jauntily in his teeth
he hurried to the office as soon as he
landed and demanded to see Allan i'm
mediately. He was told to walt. He
waited Is minutes and he was moppinr
his forehead when he was finally told
Ia
him.
Well, you must be pretty busyr'
he exclaimed. before he was fairly in
side the door. Allan was looking at
some papers. He glanced up and then
down again.
This is terrible about Ransom"
went on Wolf. coming forward to the
desk. What on earth was the mat
ter with himy'
Allan raised his eyes and looked at
him. coolly. critically
oh, you are here. are you, Wolfy'
he said. quietly. "Sit down"
The financier almost eagerly took q
seat, and. as he was composing him
self, he reflected that this was the
first time Allan had ever addressed
hi mwithout the prefix OF Mr." He
had always longed for that familiar
fty, but he found no comfort In II
now. His cigar, less than half burned,
was out; but he threw 1t away and lit
another. Allan watched him in ST.
lence. and Wolf wished that the light
ing Of the cigar might consume an
hour. At last he threw the match
away and leaned back.
I'm terribly distressed about RAN
son." he said, In tones that he strove
to make grave and plying He was
a W - II 1w rf@h p
would have been invaluable to us in q
few years, Mr.. Allan"
Allan nodded grimly
He certainly was bright" he con-
ceded acidly. One OF the brightest
young men that ever handled books,
by all accounts. AS to his probable
future value, there is field for q
wide difference Of opinion"
Why what do you mean?" asked
Wolf. with we'll feigned stare OF
surprise. rs anything wrong?"
Allan laughed; but the sound Of 1t
did not move his visitor to join In
IF there is anything wrong with
Ranson's accounts" declared Wolf,
responsibility as 1 wired you"
Allan leaned forward, his lips set in
thin line.
Lets leave Ransom out of It..
Wolf,"he said. grimly. "Ranson Is
dead--his chapter is closed I didn't
call you back to talk about Ransom,
but about Ranson's bookkeeping"
Well, what of it?" the other at
tempted to bluster.
lust this much--you have embez-
zled something like $4,000. .00or
Wolf knew that he should spring
up at this point in indignant denials.
but Allan's eyes--cold. hard and men,
acing-held him. He moistened his
| lips.
You must be crazy. Mr.. Allan." he
gasped.
| Allan looked him over slowly from
head to foot
rs that all you have to say be-
fore / call q policemanT'
Wolf swallowed hard, but at last
| managed to find some semblance Of
his natural voice.
Why. Mr.. Allan, you must be out
Of your mind!' he cried You have
had some one going over my books
in my absence? You have. eh? Well.
you might know that no mere Ac-
countant could understand those
| transactions. I know perfectly well
some millions just at this time. That
has happened once or twice before
when / have been on the wrong side
Of the marketv'
| "Ohi 1t has?'
| why. certainly returned Wolf
with some return OF confidence a. he
| felt his voice swelling out. you
know what may transactions are
what my business for the syndicate
u. A. telegraphed you. you could