The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-10-11
a. yHEN Resilius Marvel, head of
VAJ the United Bankers Protective
Wv association, came into our in


GERS desks more like Il man of leisure
than person summoned on an urgent
and important case where his keenest
professional skill would be required.
As secretary to the president and as
his own intimate friend and ardent ad-
mirer, l was first to greet him as he
came past the railinged space. led
him into the private office.
"A single individual possesses emily
a limited scope" was his first re-
mark; he sees only as one mind.
Several individuals with a multiplied
scope see as several minds. Hence a
fitting word or two along the line,
my friend, and some details from you,
which you always put intelligently."
Thanks" l bowed, drawing to-
wards me an envelope marked War
ner Clay"
You see. all that" added Marvel,
may he resultant of a double check,
for the mission of a bank and its
aides is to see that an asset may not
lose what it possesses, and that it
may find its right place"
Thirty thousand has found its
wrong place just at present. 1 OBJ
served
80 understand. A forgery, 1 be
lieve. Go on"
Resilius Marvel fixed his eye on
me and then upon the envelope which
l had opened, out of which l drew
strip Of paper
This is check 953, dated May %,
drawn upon our bank and signed by
Warner Clay" l stated. 1t is made
out in favor of Miss Geraldine Farrar.
Warner Clay is a wealthy man, 4
widower a client of our bank for
some years. Miss Farrar is, l believe,
a distant relative and a sort of ward
Of his. She has lived at his home,
has acted as his amanuensis and
stenographer, and when he has been
i'll has attended to many details of
his business. She is known to the
paying teller, A to G section, to whom
she has presented checks as high in
amount as 100000. She has been
the recognized accredited agent Of
Mr. Clay at all times. A week ago
when she presented that check, it was
cashed without the hesitation Of a
moment"
Resilius Marvel turned the check
over to scan the neat feminine in
dorsement on the reverse side.
June ,, as is customary" l went
on, that check and all other May
checks were mailed to Warner Clay,
with a statement of his account to
date. as to ali other clients of the
institution Yesterday Mr.. Clay
came to the bank in a condition of
some excitement and pronounced the
check a forgery"
Marvel arose rather summary.
"Show me the signature book" he
directed.
We went to the cage where the
registers We're kept He had retained
possession OF the check. ] waited
while Marvel compared the sigma
lures. 1 watched with interest as he
employed his magnifying glass
wondered as he felt gently with one
forefinger, not only the front but also
the reverse surface Of check and
signature page alike.
What else?" I inquired, as we
strolled back to the private Office.
"a letter Introducing me to Mr.
Clay as the representative OF the
bank. l must investigate that end.
Oh, trust me to make no cOmplica-
tons by giving offense to a good Gus
toner Of TIE bank. | suppose his
announcement that the check was a
forgery was accepted by the bank
with the usual urbane complacency?"
"Of course. Our policy is to accept
the word of profitable client un-
eQuiyocally, just as we correct a
claimed shortage without a bubble
Mr. Clay was informed that the
trifling irreguIarity' would be rene
died according to our rule"
THAT is, after the formality of dl
rectorate sanction. the 100000 would
be re-credlted to his account"
Exactly"
every fne-that gives US thirty
days"
What for?" l asked in my blunt
stupid way-as | learned afterwards
oh, a number of reasons re
sponded Marvel lightly, but under the
surface | detected the merest shadow
of a smile, and again I noted how ht
caressed the space given to the sigma
ture of the check, as if that portion o
it held some especial fascination fol
his keen sense of touch. in th'
first place though-what does this
Miss Farrar say?"
ooh, that's the trouble I blurteC
out-"Miss Geraldine Farrar is no
to be found.
"Ah, indeed?" observed Marvel
very softly. This is getting inter
estng"
YES" hurried on, trying to max
amends for my negligence in not al
prising him of this feature of til
case at the start. ct was the dis
tress Of Mr.. Clay when he appearet
at the bank to announce the forgar
that caused US to conceal any douh
as to the justice of his claim. Il
was appalled, at the fact that a trust
ed and beloved relative could plan t
rob him He was cut to the hear