The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-09-28
n A YHEN Resilius Marvel, head of
MAJ the United Bankers Protective


stitution that morning, / noted
that he made the rounds of the Off
GERS desks more like a man of leisure
than a 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, was first to greet him as he
came past the railinged space. ! led
him into the private office.
"A single individual possesses only
a limited scope" was his first re-
mark; The Bees 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 be resultant OF a double check,
for the mission of a bank and its
aides is to see that an asset may not
lose what 1t possesses, and that it
may find it's right place."
Thirty thousand has found its
wrong place just at present" I OBJ
served
80 I understand. A forgery. I be-
tieve. Go on
Resilius Marvel fixed his eye on
me and then upon the envelope which
| had opened, out of which l drew a
strip of paper.
This is check 953, dated May %,
drawn upon our bank and signed by
Warner Clay" ! stated. 'It is made
out in favor of Miss Geraldine Farrar.
Warner Clay is a wealthy man, a
widower, client of our bank for
some years. Miss Farrar is, / believe,
a distant relative and sort of ward
of his. She has lived at his home,
has acted as his amanuensis and
stenographer, and when he has been
Ill 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, 1t 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 2, as is customary" I went
on, that check and all other May
checks were mailed to Warner Clay,
with a statement of his account to
date, as to all 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 summarily.
SHOW me the signature book" he
directed.
We went to the cage where the
registers were kept. He had retained
possession Of the check. I waited
while Marvel compared the sigma
lures. l watched with interest as he
employed his magnifying glass. I
wondered as he felt gently with one
forefnger, 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-
lions by giving offense to a good GUS
toner of the bank. 1 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
he word of a profitable client I'M
squivocally, just as we correct a
claimed shortage without a bubble.
Mr.. Clay was informed that the
trihing irregularity' would be RENE
died according to our rule
That is, after the formality of di-
rectorate sanction, the $4,000 would
be re-credited to his ACCOUNT"
Exactly"
Very fine-that gives us thirty
days"
What for?" / asked in my blunt,
stupid way-as / learned afterwards.
"Oh, a number of reasons" re-
sponded Marvel lightly, but under the
surface 1 detected the merest shadow
of a smile, and again ! noted how he
caressed the space given to the sigma
lure of the check, as if that portion of
it held some especial fascination for
his keen sense of touch. I'm the
first place, though-what does this
Miss Farrar say?"
"Oh, that's the trouble" / blurted
out-"Miss Geraldine Farrar is not
to be found.
"Ah, indeed?" observed Marvel,
very softly. This is getting inter-
esting."
YES" hurried on, trying to make
amends for my negligence in not APP
prising him of this feature of the
case at the start. ''It was the dis
tress of Mr.. Clay when he appeared