The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-10-04
i. sEiEN Resilius Marvel, head Of
AZ the United Bankers Protective

AMA the UmLeu biiilheiS AAo'NN'i'
We association, came into our in
stitution that morning. | noted
that he made the rounds OF the OIL
GERS desks more like 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 ne
came past the railinged space. led
him into the private Office.
"A single individual possesses only
a limited scope" was his first re-
mark; che 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" / bowed, drawing to-
wards me an envelope marked War
ner Clay"
You see, all that" added Marvel.
may be resultant of double check,
for the mission of bank and us
aides is to see that an asset may not
lose what it possesses, and that IT
may find its right place"
Thirty thousand has found its
wrong place just at present" OBJ
served
$50 l understand. A forgery, be-
lieye. Go on"
Resilius Marvel fixed his eye on
me and then upon the envelope which
had opened, out of which drew a
strip of paper.
This is check 953, dated May 20,
drawn upon our bank and signed by
Warner Clay" stated. 1T is made
out in favor of Miss Geraldine Farrar.
Warner Clay is wealthy man, a
widower, a client of our bank for
some years. Miss Farrar is, believe,
a distant relative and a 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 CT
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, it was
cashed without the hesitation of a
moment"
Resilius Marvel turned the check
over to scan the neat feminine ill.,
dorsement on the reverse side.
June 2, as is customary" l 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 forgery"
Marvel arose rather summarily.
SHOW me the signature book" he
directed
We went to the cage where the
registers we're kept. He had retained
possession of the check. l waited
while Marvel compared the sigma
lures. I watched with interest as he
employed his magnifying glass
wondered as he felt gently with one
torefinger, not only the front but also
the reverse surface of check and
signature page alike
What else?" / inquired, as we
stroIled back to the private Office.
"k letter introducing me to Mr.,
Clay as the representative of the
bank. / must investigate that end.
Oh, trust me to make no complica-
lions by giving offense to good GUS
toner of the bank. | 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 a profitable client un-
equivocally, just as we correct a
claimed shortage without bubble
Mr. Clay was informed that the
trifiing irregularity would be RENE.
died according to our rule
THAT is, after the formality of d.
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 l learned afterwards
"Oh, a number of reasons re.
sponded Marvel lightly, but under the
surface / 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
1T held some especial fascination for
his keen sense of touch. In the
first place, though-what does this
Miss Farrar say?"
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 ap
prising him of this feature of the
case at the start. 1T was the dis
tress of Mr.. Clay when he appeared
at the bank to announce the forgery
that caused US to conceal any doubt
as to the justice of his claim HI
was appalled, at the fact that trust
ed and beloved relative could plan t.
rob him. He was cat 20 the heart
he said, to realize that the girl ht