Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-09-21
a RHEN Resilius Marvel, head of
NAI the United Bankers Protective

F" association, came into our IN
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 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" I 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 bank and its
aides is to see that an asset may not
lose what it possesses, and that It
may find it's right place"
Thirty thousand has found its
wrong place just at present." I OBJ
served.
so understand. A forgery, be-
lieve 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 %,
ldrawn upon our bank and signed by
Warner Clay" l stated. TT is made
iout 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
i'll las attended to many details of
his business. She is known to the
JayiT g 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.. Cay 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
dOrseme1t on the reverse side.
June 2, as is customary" / went
on, thai check and all other May
checks v ere mailed to Warner Clay,
with a statement of his account to
date, as 10 all other clients of the
institution. yesterday Mr. Clay
came to he bank in a condition of
some excl, ement and pronounced the
check fo gerry
Marvel a rose rather summarily.
SHOW mo 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 l watched with interest as he
employed his magnifying glass. I
wondered as he felt gently with one
fore1nger 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 otfense to a good Gus
toner of the bank. l 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-
equivocally, just as we correct a
claimed shortage without a bubble.
Mr.. Clay was informed that the
trifiing irregularitS' would be rene
died according to our rule"
THAT is, after the formality of d.
rectorate sanction, the $4,000 would
be re-credit,d 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 l detected the merest shadow
of smile, and again noted how he
caressed the space given to the sigma
ture of the check. as if that portion of
it held some especial fascination for
his keen sense Of touch. I'm the
first place, IT, Igh-what does this
Miss Farrar say?"
"Oh. that's the trouble" l blurted
out-"Miss Geraldine Farrar is not
TO be found.
All indeed?" observed Marvel,
very softly. This is getting inter
esting"
eyes hnrriad ON irving To make