The Republican journal., 1914-05-14
CHAPTER XIV.

GER. HAMBRIGRT' INSULT.
A few days after the happy reunion,
the Bank Directors met in secret session
in Bemis' library and made thoroagh
examination of the condition OF the
banks finances, assets and liabilities.
.There are one hundred Orc bonds
missing" said Moody. He and bond
clerk had checked off all the securities
in the bank vault.
eyes. discovered the loss several days
ago. We have searched for them every,
where without finding then" explained
Bemis.
"You are sure they were deposited in
the vault?'
Certainly; and only three persons be-
side myself have had access to it. am
of the opinion they have been stolen, and
I have sent their numbers abroad as
usual, and placed the facts before some
of the detectives, as some of you know. "
ga hundred thousand dollars lost! That
is frlghtful! Have you any clues! 10
YOU suspect any person. said Mcdonald
excitedly.
Eyes: | have little evidence yet. l
expect a report soon from headquar-
ters."
.sGad! but banking is bad business.
Add this loss to the effects of the sum
burst and we can whistle for five years
in vain for dividends. Any one can have
nv stock for half price, growled Con-
lin.
s.No takers, ! guess. Banking is about
as safe as bearing or bulling stocks.
You had better put your money under
brick in the parlor than do that, said
Winslow.
tWell, Bemis; we must recover the
bonds, catch the thief, and railroad him
to the penitentiary, declared Varnum,
s'Where is Hambright?" asked Smith,
suddenly. noting his absence.
s.He left word he was going away for
few days on important business, re-
piled Ayres.
.It is queer he should absent himself
from the city at such critical time OF
public disturbance. 1t is my opinion, he
is working the bank in the interest OF
the Cornucopia crowd
"He has somewhat during my Hines,
and, am sorry to say, some OF you
gentlemen have favored his financial
schemes" asserted the president.
"What is the price of Cornucopla to-
udy! dSkeu v dIHuiil VI Vooo0"Ay' eA
broker.
"Six and half. I. holds up we'll. ]
supposed it is supported by the insiders.
''Surely; and Orc bonds?'
"Seventy- seven and interest"
1'We are nothing out yet, except in
losing the bundle. l think the owners
of the bonds will not desire to redeem
them, unless they learn we have lost
them, Mr.. Bemis.''
"We must not let any one know it.
Our safety depends upon keeping the
loss and this meeting secret, added the
president significantly.
1--WE approve of your suggestions,
sir. The mines have suffered little; the
losses of property under ground have
been trifling compared with those above
ground. An earthquake alone can affect
their subterranean wealth.
81 never thought property could be SO
insecure. Professor Lowell says, we
are liable in the future to have COLI
sion between the earth and some planet
of our solar system, wandering star,
or an erratic comet, and be snutfed out
or burned to cinder in moment. We
have had warning what may happen tc
the earth by the recent disturbance in
the sun. Had it been greater, we would
have had no further interest in finances.
''But Lowell says, In case OF COLL
sion, we would have from Astronomical
, calculations about fourteen years warn
ing and could prepare for eXtermlna--
ton, >" added Mr.. SeWell, a graduate OF
Tech.
"Watch and pray; that's proper prep
aration, if all are to perish. During the
next fourteen years or more, we had
better limit our speculations to mundane
affairs"
"Do you gentlemen think it advisable
to make any loans at PRESENT. asked
Smith, the treasurer.
mot without great caution and vote
of the full Board" replied Bemis.
eff the Board is full, the members
will not be in a condition to vote on any
thing, and shall vote No." said Wins
low.
1t was moved and carried that further
investigation of financial affairs in Amer
lea and Europe should be made before
considering any loans, and, after trans
acting some routine business, the board
adjourned.
Bemis walked around the room NUT
tering and a maid soon brought him a
card "Show the gentleman in, said
he.
Good morning, Mr.. Bemis. have
returned"
Good morning, Fink; see you have.
l hope you bring good news"
"Good and bad, sir. l struck trail
and lost it; saw the game, but it had
seen me first and got away
est down and tell me all about your
movements
81 was passing the All SAINTS Church,
when noticed an Italian fruit vender on
his cart cycling me sharply. asked him
his name and where he lived. He said
he was Matteo Spinoza and he had a
little farm at the foot of the mountain.
showed him my star and he said, Well,
l tell you some dings. Man with mus
tache and goat whisker, black eyes,
black hair, tall, not SO thick as me, fine
clothes, pull down hat, very quick step,
had chug wagon. He bring pretty Teddy
out to hills one day almost dark; try get
her go into trees and she would not. He
try make her; take her arm and pull her
out the chug wagon. She scream loud,
| ran fast and stop him with this, show
ing stiletto.
HE curse me, get in chug wagon and
go to city. go too on side of wagon.
He stop dark place, make Teddy get out,
and he talk easy and she ran away home.
He very mad at me. l 60 other way
quick
Astonishing! and the police knew
nothing of it3p