Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-02
CHAPTER XXIV-(Continued).


CHAPTER v-(Continued).
what Miami bonds do you mean, Mr.
Rutherford7" he asked, his old arroganc,
coming to the front TO chastise thi:
young mans presumption.
why, the bonds belonging to the Bal
lantyne estate" replied Craig In the mos
casual manner in the world. "t hav,
been informed that they are now in youl
possession"
And who was your informer, prayY"
',rhat makes no difference, at present
I am simply trying to trace the history
of these bonds. Are they the same ones
that you brought from Florida"
MIR Rutherford, this is idle! You know
or the public knows-that ! have moi
been out of the city. The Ballantyne
bonds are intact; and even II these were
they, I would have a perfect right to dis
pose of them, as representing my clients
interests
"You admit that these are the Ballan-
tyne bonds7" persisted Craig, still hold
ing 10 quiet tone, void of offense.
II admit nothing-and-and l deny you
the right to cross-examine me! What dc
YOU know about the Ballantyne bonds
and the Peninsula Bank?"
ut was the Peninsula Bank, then? Glad
to know IL" said Rutherford.
Helderman looked nettled at his slight
RllDt ana lOOk TbluBb III slltutts lilS Sbll
possessed young man was more than his
match, today.
mfr. Ferguson" said Craig. after the
silence had grown perceptible, II have
reason to believe that these bonds have
been offered for sale, without the right
full owners consent. make no charges
against Mr.. Helderman here, of course,
but ask you to hold these bonds in our
custody until we can investigate them"
You will do nothing of the kind" re-
torted Helderman, calmly. they are
negotiable bonds payable to bearer. /
am that bearer; l came to negotiate n
sale You will give them back to me or
buy them from me-"
"T may do neither" Rutherford asserted.
"You will do one or the other" Helder-
man said as positively.
Ferguson grew uneasy.
Mr. Rutherford, / am not sure but
that Mr.. Helderman Is right. The bonds
have come to us through him, and he has
offered TO sell them to us at very sats-
factory figure. Now, we must either buy
them at his price or return them"
"Correct!' agreed Helderman: while
Craig was checked by warning glance
from the cashier.
"Mr Hederman." continued Ferguson,
II will give you a receipt for the bonds,
and give you an early decision about
them. say tomorrow morning"
It'll tomorrow, then" agreed Helder-
man not altogether pleased with the turn
of affairs. though evidently thinking it
best not to make any show of dlstrust.
But as he went out the door he could
not resist this parting shot. your sup
positions are idle, Mr.. Rutherford, and
you have no proof! If you try any
monkey business with me I'll break your
bank!"
Craig merely smiled at the vain threat
and Helderman left abruptly.
ferguson, have you heard-any tales
about Helderman these days?" asked
Craig.
why he is all the time involved in
risky financial speculations-things that
the rest of US would not dare taclSle-but
he always manages to win out with
them. What do you mean, Mr.. Ruther-
ford?"
II mean just this. Helderman will
bear watching; and, mark my words. he
won't last long down here. Up like a
rocket, down like a stick! AS for these
bonds-did you notice how he changed
color when L told him Where they came
from?"
"Yes How did you know?"
81 didn't-not for sure merely
guessed-and I made him tell me some
of it!' replied Craig, with gleam of
triumph. Before I get through he is
going to tell me some more!'
Ferguson grinned appreciatively, but
the look was quickly replaced by one of
apprehension.
You did some good detective work.
Mr.. Rutherford" he said, but you still
haven't evidence enough to hold these
bonds"
Nevertheless, I'm going to mold them!'
responded Craig determinedly. Under
stand, Ferguson, you are not to deliver
them back under any circumstances
without my consent. I, personally, will
be responsible. Put him off pleasantly
but don't give them up!'
Ferguson assented, but obviously i'll at
ease. He picked up the bonds and began
TO examine them again. Suddenly he
gave little exclamation and, without
word of excuse, ran out of the office.
In few moments he was back again
with printed list, and again scanned
the bonds.
about those Borderline Fives!" he shout
ed. "A big issue of those bonds utterly
disappeared some years ago. No one
has ever been able TO account for them.
No coupons, even, were ever presented.
These are the missing bonds. and they
look as though they had been stuck
away I'm some safe deposit box and for
gotten all this time"
You are mighty near right" exclaimed
made long shot in accusing Helderman
of having taken these bonds from the
Florida bank, but the shot was evidently
a bulls-eye.
Still we have no proof" said Fergu-
son cautiously
Wen get the proof" rutherford re-
piled, with q determination as great as
though he had not faced the battling
problem of proving Helderman scoun-
drel for a good while.
You spoke about the bonds having
oeen placed in safe deposit box" said
Ferguson. Now, who can tell you posi-
lively what tnat box contained"
There's just the rub!" responded Craig
dolefully, "As 1 understand 1t, only the
man who rented the box knew of its
eontents-and he is dead!'
Then Helderman has got you'll" said
the cashier decislvely.
No, he hasn't-not by a long shot!'
said Craig. And I'm going TO start out
on another track right now; that is, II
youll allow your third bookkeeper some
time off now and thenW
1 reckon we'll have to-so long as his
business concerns million dollar issues
or oonds" replied Ferguson facetiously.
rutherford was already at the tele-
phone
Central please give me 2sO4 FranSIln!'
he called.
Ferguson watched him, secretly pleased
Win the energy and initiative displayed