The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-09-29
7HEN the president of the Atlas
~ National bank sent for Resilius
8W NoryaI was selected as his

F" Marvel | was selected as his
messenger. When | returned
from the office of the United Bankers
Protective association with its active
head in my company was, quite nat
urally, being the private secretary Oh
the one and the closest friend or the
other, motioned to remain. l sank into
pne of the sumptuous easy chairs when
crowded the inner sanctum OF the
great king of finance, Mr.. Robert
Drew, feeling sure that was about to
listen to something new and impor-
tant.
Resilius Marvel looked easy-minded
and receptive. | fancied / detected a
very slight smile pass over his face
as his eye fell upon heap of bonds
outspread and held down by a paper
weight on the desk directly before MT.
Drew. The serious, somewhat irritat-
ed face of the bank president indicated
that he was Ill at ease mentally, that
he had sent for Marvel much as might
a man who had bungled over mendlng
q bruised finger and had been com
PEELED to call in skilled surgical aid.
He tried to be off-handed as he select
ed one OF the bonds and passed 1t
over for the inspection Of the man
whom / had seen do so many clever
things, whom had come to recognize
as the grand postmaster Of foresight
and efficiency in the bank mysteries
line.
What do you know about these
bonds, Mr.. Marvel?" was the question
put.
Everything" was the prompt reply
SO speedily given that Its enunciation
and a bare careless glance at the
broad, black letters, 'Jebel River &
Great Jangeh Railroad Co.. were 81
multaneous.
That is good" said the president
quite gratefully, clearing his throat ano
looking hopeful. "This is specia
matter. you understand, and confiden
tial. I shall be sorry or glad that the
bank holds over 100000 of those Sc
curities after have heard what yol
have to say"
"You will be sorry" bluntly replied
Marvel. 1.-THE whole proposition Is
dream, perhaps a fraud. The securi
ties are waste paper, unless
"Yes-unless?" pressed Mr.. Drew
eagerly. almost piteously. with fac
grown many shades paler.
Unless l am able to locate tn
man who signs them as president
the road-his royal highness Of jar
geh."
was struck with the extraordinar.
words. Marvel had placed the bon
on the desk. 1t was. within my reach
and as unobtrusively as | could | dre7
It towards me. Several of the bond
of this issue had passed under my ey
casually in the regular course Of bus
ness of the bank during the past tw
months, but had never scanned Their
particularly. Now l read the signt
lures: "Zwun Zhi, King of Jangef
President; Napoleon Lucroix, 1mperis
Treasurer, Secretary"
half of these bonds" spoke MI
Drew, placing an unsteady hand on to
heap, ARE collateraled. Over 500
900, however, represent a direct pu
chase of the bank"
"At what price?" inquired Marvel.
From IS to 3d."
"And they dropped Is points thi
morning." recounted my welEposte
friend. "They will 60 down to 40 t
day before the Stock Exchane
closes"
caught a convulsive click in M
Drew's throat. His fingers were bea
ing a rapid tattoo on the crisp. gaue
securities. The sound appealed to n
like the ominous swish Of dry leav'
In harvest time, preceding a storm.
"You see," he managed to spea
"there seemed no doubt of the secu
ity. While Jangeh is barbar1c kin
dom. its resources are tremendou
ivory, gold, diamonds and immen
droves of cattle. All the count
lacks is some thoroughfare to Z
coast. The idea was to build III
out from Uganda on the Victoria \
ANA. a large inland lake, beyond A
CORA to the Jebel river. The I
tiyes could then feat their cattle a
other products down the strea
transfer to the Coast road, and rea
Zanzibar through German East Afrl'
tt looked as favorable as the &c
Rhodes development schemes or
recent Soudan explorations,
Eyes, SO the prospectus said" n
ded Marvel dryly.
1.-THE deed Of trust" went on
Drew in almost feverish haste q
with a shade of pleading JUNCTION
his tone. covers nearly 800 900 &C
of land, two palaces, fifteen nat
cities. half a dozen gold mines
gether valued at some fifty 7 llicn~
dollars. The bod issue is bare
lion. Another point: Ralston &
bankers, have the construction {
tract, and guarantee tn payment
interest and principal on these bon'
again the prospectus-you nav
good memory, Mr.. Drew" said Mai
quietly.
"Whv. see here" resumed the o
president, more like man defene
a client than asking for informal
.'look at this
Very aninatedly he drew over
him the big rating book. His nerH
finger, fumbled he leaves enc
.,-or +ta initial i7de Here 1t