The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-27
lady introduced to me as Miss Tich-

lady introduced to me as Miss Tich- en0r.
 I must say she was very at tractive, but more in manner than in beauty. There was a sinuous, dallying softness to her smile that wrapped about the casual observer invitingly, though to me in measure warningly. AS to those eyes, I saw them not. Until the end of the evening not once did find the opportunity to meet them, much less to scrutinize closely. She had long lashes and a way Of peeping through them sideways, an eyasive trick of shifting and conceal ing their expression. They were black jet black. ! learned that much, but nothing more
 But made discovery, an impor- tant one, I learned not much later Purvois had pressed me to remain, in- tim3ting business It was when most of the guests had departed that he took my arm, nodded to Ransome, and We three were soon ensconced in 8 little bijou of boudoir, temporarily in use as smoking room. On top of the lighting of the cigars, in his usual quick business way, Purvois spoke to me promptly:
 You know Ransome?"
 ''Very we'll, I am glad to say" I re- sponded, and caught grateful gleam from the eye of the young man in question.
 "He has told me his history" pro- ceeded Purvois "I do not care to re- traverse it. but you of all men, from the same bank where he served, can answer one question fnaIly-he is strictly honest, if unfortunate?" 'T think no one has ever doubted that"
 'He has applied to me for the cash iership of my bank" went on Purvois in rush of words. T know he is un- trained, or rather too quickly trained. It is only question of elasticity as to my suggestions, and-trustworthi- ness. I am about to handle large sums as trustee for Russo-American syndicate. They require heavy bonds. and this young man must qualify for large surety
 Any liability company would fur nish it, 1 think" was my reply to this.
 What was working, and how far was my candid opinion of the honesty of young Ransome helping the plans of Resilius Marvel? asked myself as reached home that night. When 1 re- ported to him the next day he did not enlighten me any further than to ob- serve:
 Very good. I see the light. and the end'
 The end" did not seem to material ize very rapidly. In fact, at the end of the month l began to suspect that l somewhere in the skein of mysteries. a strand had knotted, somehow. In the meantime I had received blank from 1 the Guaranty Indemnity company as 1 one of the references of Alison Ran some, who desired, it was stated, to obtain a s100,000 surety bond as cash fer for the banking house of Purvois & Go. I had showed this to Marvel.
 Answer it in the usual way" he directed tersely.
 It was five weeks after this, one evening. that Marvel flashed past me on the street with two men whose guarded way of looking forward told me they were in his company with a purpose.
 Tomorrow" he said, simply, in a low tone.
 Tomorrow it was-the crisis, though not the final climax. Only a part of my breakfast was complacent. The rest of 1t, after I had taken up a morning paper, was ruffed and unsat- isfactory.
 In glaring headlines the print told of an enormous embezzlement-the cashier of the banking house of Pur- vols & Co. had disappeared two days previous, carrying away with him over $200,000 in cash and securities No trace of him was suggested. The past record of young Ransome was renewed, at some pains it seemed to me. To the public the incident seemed fitting climax to the career of young man who had left another bank under suspicion of being in volved in two inexplicable S50.000 losses"-so runs the world away.
 Great unction in behalf of the de- pleted banker was exercised in stat ing that no possible loss could accrue to Purvois & Co.,, nor to their deposi- tors. as the missing cashier had been bonded by the Guaranty Indemnity company for an amount equal to the amount of the dedication.
 had just reached my room that eve ming. when telephone call announced my friend at the other end of the line.
 Come at once to the Cafe Majes- tic." he said.