The Tupelo journal., 1917-08-31

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the furry in those bonds. Ralston &
Co. stand behind the proposition on a
strong guarantee"
He looked at Marvel in some de-
fiance. The latter took the challenge
mildly. His hand went into an inner
pocket and drew forth a slip Of tissue
paper. He passed this to the bank
president.
Il sent the day before yesterday"
he said. ito the commercial agency
for a report on Ralston C Co. You
observe what the agency reported:
Open for rating"
1t was not the first time Mr.. Drew
had heard that technical agency
phrase. In a vague way it was gen.
orally understood to indicate an inves-
tigation pending, a lacking vertical
ton of ~antecedents, o. anticipation of
a promised statement.
AS you know" observed Mr.. Drew,
closely scanning the bit of f1imsy,
they are a comparatively new firm.
Very often a rating is withheld or
suspended awaiting a reorganization,
or for some other transitory condi-
ton"
To-day" pursued Marvel steadily,
Il have learned a somewhat peculiar
fact. The reporter who held that
rating open the next day went to the
office Of Ralston & Co. to receive a
promised statement. He withdrew
the rating owing to some suspicious
he did not impart to his chief. He
has eve been seen since. His name
is Clinton Durham, and he has mys-
t%eriously, utterly, disappeared"
And you infer from this-?" ques-
toned Mr.. Drew.
"Blackmail, briefly, or foul play, for
last evening Ralston & Co., which
means Bernard Ralston, drew out
every dollar they had in the local
banks and have evidently closed
shop"
The bank president sprang to his
feet.
Il had not heard of that" he said
huskily.
You will, in the afternoon papers"
explained Marvel. THE laggard in
terest money, suspicion, a sense of in
security, have caused the first raid
on the Jebel River bonds. You can
fancy what the Stock Exchange will
do when the disappearance of Rails
ton is public property"
Tho bapL nrnci1apf uoc NO ip o. fha
floor in sheer agitation. Always
hitherto he had posed to me as a great
mar handling big events and never
showing the white feather. Just now
he disdained all self-restraint or ego
tism.
DO something!" he said in a hoarse
broken tone.
Il intend to" replied Marvel. you
have done all the talking so far-let
do ome l will tell you what
very few know.
The bonds were invalid in the first
place; a signature is lacking. think
l can obtain it. If l do, the bond
holders will not lose. AS you quoted
from the prospectus, the physical Sc
curity behind the deed of trust is am
ple-provided the title is right. 1t
is quite the reverse, but / hope to
rectify it."
Marvel was done. Too many times
had Mr.. Drew consulted him n o to
know that. He drank a glass of water
in feverish haste. Then he took up
his check book.
"You understand-of course" he
began significantly.
When the case is through" inter-
rupted Marvel. Il want III friend hero
for a week." and he placed his hand on
my arm. II need some help"
1 smiled at Marvel in depreciation.
/ had been so fortunate as to be his
companion in several cases he had
worked up. To speak of help-and
from me! / laughed outright. The
only suggestions / had even ventured
to make to him had been based on
stupid deductions.
Il don't think you understand" he
said, locking his arm in mine as we
left the bank. "Metaphysically / have
found you a silent but willing buffer
in the midst of developing ideas. /
sometimes think you are valuable in
catching them, and by some telepathic
sense extracting their values. They
%percolate through your mentality and
come back to me clarified. That is
the real transference of thought, you
know"
There was always something inter-
esting going on at Resilius Marvel's
Office. On ther present occasion l
looked around it to catch any indica-
ton there might be of a suggestion
of the unusual. It's proprietor motioned
me to chair in the outer apartment.
In less han a minute Lott, his handy
nan. servitor and assistant, came from
a side room. He greeted me with his
usu-l reserved yet graceful Obeis-
ance. Lying on a table was q cane
and a woman's handbag. / watched
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