The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-06


 from the office of the United Bankers Protective association with it's active head in my company I was, quite nat urally, being the private secretary of the one and the closest friend of the other, motioned to remain. I sank into one of the sumptuous easy chairs which crowded the inner sanctum of the great king of finance, MT. Robert Drew, feeling sure that was about to listen to something new and impor- tant.
 Resilius Marvel looked easy-minded and receptive. I fancied I detected a very slight smile pass over his face as his eye fell upon heap of bonds outspread and held down by paper weight on the desk directly before MT. Drew. The serious, somewhat irritat- ed face of the bank president indicated that he was i'll at ease mentally, that he had sent for Marvel much as might man who had bungled over mending a bruised finger and had been com pelled to call in skilled surgical aid. He tried to be off-handed as he select ed one of the bonds and passed it over for the inspection of the man whom l 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, MT. Marvel?" was the question put.
 Everything" was the prompt reply, so speedily given that it's enunciation and bare careless glance at the broad, black letters, 'Jebel River & Great Jangeh Railroad Co., were si- multaneous.
 That is good" said the president, quite gratefully, clearing his throat and looking hopeful This Is special matter, you understand and confiden- tial. shall be sorry or glad that the bank holds over $6Oo.Oo0 of those se- curities after I have heard what you have to say"
 You will be sorry" bluntly replied Marvel "The whole proposition is dream, perhaps fraud The securi- ties are waste paper unless"
 Yes-unless?" pressed MT. Drew eagerly, almost piteously, with a face grown many shades -paler.
 Unless I am able to locate the man who signs them as president of the road-his royal highness of Jan geh."
 I was struck with the extraordinary words Marvel had placed the bond and as unobtrusively as I could drew IL towards me. Several of the bonds of this issue had passed under my eye casually in the regular course of busi- ness of the bank during the past two months, but had never scanned them particularly Now I read the sigma lures: "Zwun Zhi, King of Jangeh, President; Napoleon Lucroix, Imperial Treasurer, Secretary"
 Half of these bonds" spoke MT. Drew, placing an unsteady hand on the heap, .'are collateraled. Over $200, 900, however, represent a direct pur- chase of the bank"
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 From S5 to 92.''
 And they dropped 15 points this morning." recounted my wellposted friend. They will go down to 40 to- day before the Stock Exchange closes"
 I caught convulsive click in MT. Drew's throat. His fingers were beat ing a rapid tattoo on the crisp, gaudy securities. The sound appealed to me like the ominous swish of dry leaves in harvest time, preceding storm.
 You see," he managed to speak, there seemed no doubt of the secur- ity While Jangeh is a barbaric king dom it's resources are tremendous; ivory, gold, diamonds and immense droves of cattle. All the country lacks is some thoroughfare to the coast The idea was to build a line out from Uganda on the Victoria Ny anza. large inland lake, beyond An gors to the Jebel river. The na aA tives could then float their cattle and other products down the stream, transfer to the Coast road, and reach Zanzibar through German East Africa. It looked as favorable as the Cecil Rhodes development schemes or the recent Soudan explorations
 Yes. so the prospectus said." nod ded Marvel dryly.
 "The deed of trust" went on Mir. Drew in almost feyerish haste and with shade of pleading unction in hs tone, covers nearly 300 ,000 acres of land, two palaces, fifteen nativ, ciAes, half dozen gold mines : gaher valued at some fifty llicn. of ddlars. The bord issue is bare mil lith. Another point: Ralston & c., btpkers, have the construction con tject, and guarantee tn payment of ii1erest and principal ol these bonds" :" HAgain the prospectus-you have a "a memory. MT. Drew" said Marvel etly.
 Why, see here" resumed the bank esident. moro like a man defending
 client than asking foy information. look at this"
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