The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-30

he could do nothing but address COM
munication to the writer Of the notes,
to be called for at the general delivery
window, asking her to visit him the
next day at the bank.
She did not respond in person. but
wrote that an official In the bank some
years before had been discharged I'M
der suspicion of dishonesty. The dis
charged man had suffered much by
this injustice, the consequences of
which, including loss of salary, amount
ed to a claim against the bank Of q
hundred thousand francs. He was no
better able to prove his innocence now
than formerly, but he was in a posi-
don to help himself to the amount of
his claim. II the bank would pay 1t
without a lawsuit the danger in which
the institution stood OF losing funds
would be revealed: IL not, the claimant
would choose his own way of securing
his claim.
The governor at once called for the
names Of all persons discharged from
the bank within twenty years. When
the list was presented TO him he was
surprised to see that II embraced
nearly 100 names. for II had been the
policy Of the management to discharge
suspected ofilcials without investiga-
tion.
After mature elaboration the gov
ernor concluded that It would be i'm
possible among so many to hit on the
person named. He believed that there
was a leak somewhere among his sub
ordiLCtes, that one of them was a con.
federate of the person who was en-.
deavoring to get money from the bank.
while a woman confederate was en-
ployed to write the notes. He at once
called upon the banks chief detective
for list Of the officials now in the
banks employ who had been observed
visiting places Of questionable repute
or were believed to be living beyond
their means Five names were fur
nished, and they were all discharged.
Nothing further was heard from
Elise r. for a month; then came an
other note. Il stated that the amount
Of the discharged officials claim had
been appropriated and the governor
need give himself no further concern
in the matter. The claimant would not
help himself TO any more of the banks
funds than the amount Of his claim,
though be was In position TO take all
he liked.
Upon receipt Of this letter the gov.
ernor gave an order for an inventory
to be made Of all the funds Of the
bank. The amounts in the safes were
found to be correct, but there was one
room with massive walls called the
treasure room. In which was kept the
enormous supply of gold belonging to
the institution. together with certain
paper currency for which there was
not storage room elsewhere. From the
treasure in this vault, which constitut-
ed part Of the foundation Of the
building, the sum of 100000 francs
was found to be missing.
The governor at once wrote to Elise
R., inviting her to call at the bank, In
closing an indemnity for whom Il
might concern on account OF any funds
that had been taken from the bank.
He received reply that II on given
night and hour he would be in the
strong room Of the bank he would find
not only the 100000 francs deficiency
but an explanation of the mystery.
On the appointed night a carriage
drove up to the bank. A lady, accom-.
panied by an attendant, alighted and,
being admitted, was shown to the gov
ernor's private Office.
"Mademoiselle. or perhaps madame"
asked the official, whom have ! the
honor to addressT'
II am Jeanne Brisson, the daughter
Of Paul Brisson, whom you probably
know as one Of Frances prominent
manufacturers.
'Tndeedr'
II have come to accompany you to
your strong room. am your CORE
spondent, Elise r. This gentleman Is
one of your former employees"
more mysterious than everr' ex-
claimed the governor.
II believe 1t is the appointed hour.
snail we prOceeuF
The governor, summoning attendants,
led the way to the treasure room. The
door was unlocked. and the party en-
tered.
Remove those boxes" said Jeanne.
pointing.
The boxes were removed. Jeanne
went to spot they had uncovered and
stamped with her boot heel upon one
Of the marble slabs that constituted
the floor. The slab was lifted from its
place. and the soiled head of Francois
Ferriere rose through the opening.
Tell how you came here" said
Jeanne.
II am a sewer scavenger," said Fran.
coils. ''One day while hunting in the
sewer / saw that there was a break in
the arch. Climbing to It, pulled
away stones and earth till / came to
crumbling mortar, This. too, remov-
ed and found this slab. Lifting It
found what you see about you"
Jeanne's attendant stepped forward
and addressed the governor:
Monsieur" he said. II am Lucien
villaret. once In charge of one Of your
departments. You discharged me on
mere suspicion on the day my be-
trothal was being celebrated and caus-
ed me years of misery. Through this
man Ferriere, who was advised by my
betrothed, could have robbed you of
the untold wealth contained In this
room. Here" handing the governor an
envelope. lis all the money that has
been taken in an effort to secure my
vindication."