Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-11-21
policy of the management to discharge
suspected officials without investiga

policy of the management to discharge
suspected officials without investiga-
ton.
After mature elaboration the gov
ernor concluded that 1t 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
ordinates, that one Of them was 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 a 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. 1t 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 he was in position to take all
he liked.
Upon aEeceipt. 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 a 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 hank, in
closing an indemnity for whom 1t
might concern on account of any funds
that had been taken from the bank.
He received reply that If 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 carriage
drove up to the bank. lady, accom-
panied by an attendant, alighted and,
being admitted, was shown to the gov
errors private Office.
"Mademoiselle. or perhaps madame"
asked the official, whom have / the
honor to address,"
81 ar Jeanne Brisson, the daughter
of Paul Brisson, whom you probably
know as one Of Frances prominent
manufacturers"
"Indeedr'-
81 have come to accompany you to
your strong room. l am your CORE
spondent, Elise r. This gentleman is
one of your former employees"
"More mysterious than everw ex-
claimed the governor.
81 believe 1t is the appointed hour.
Shall we proceed?"
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 a spot they had uncovered and
90
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.
81 am sewer scavenger," said Fran
co.'s. zone day while hunting In the
sewer 1 saw that there was break in
the arch. Climbing to 1t, | pulled
away stones and earth till / came to
crumbling mortar. This. too, l 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. 81 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, l could have robbed you of
the untold wealth contained in this
room. Here" handing the governor an
envelope, sis all the money that has
been taken In an effort to secure my
ylndication."
Such was the end of the great Bank
Of France mystery. Lucien was offer
ed any position In the bank he desired.
but would accept none. Francois was
made guardian of the treasure room
with a handsome salary. Lucien and
Jeanne celebrated a wedding that had
been put off at the time of his dis
charge.