Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-26
BRUNO DUKE
Soluer of Business Problems
BY HAROLD WHITEHEAD
Copyright.
THE PROBLEM OF THE
SMUGGLED JEWELS
A Complicated Problem

A Complicated Problem
CUSAN MAITLAND did not tell hei
~ story to Bruno Duke without much
questioning on his part. SO much sc
that he had to send her to Mamie,
home, for it was II o'clock before Susar
had explained to Duke how Bannocl
Purvis borrowed money from her at
hper cent interest month while he goi
8 per cent a month from it.
The security, as l explained, was ac
counts payable, all supposed to be due
within thirty days.
When Duke had n second interview
with Susan Maitland I was there.
She came to his apartment at the
time appointcd-10 o'clock on a Wed
nesday morning. She sat weariy on a
chair and said with brave attempt to
smile.
''Hcre I am on time, Mr.. Duke. It's
so good of you to see me, although !
feel sure it's no use. I'm afraid Mr..
Purvis has-lost all my money"
wen see about that later, my dear
young lady" Duke said in reassuring
tones. II want you to meet my helper
and friend. Mr.. Peter Flint. lie knows
all you told me last Friday evening,
and as he will have to help me, l want
you to speak frankly to him as well as
to me-
She gave me shy and weary glance
and remarked
II know, Mr.. Flint, of course, be-
cause I've read his stories about your
work" She shook hands with me and
then laid her hands in her lap and said !:
"Now. sir, what can I say!'
A few adrot questions and Duke
found out the following:
Bannock Purvis had paid the per
cent month for six or seven months.
when suddenly the interest stopped. He
explained to her that several clients of
his were hard up and many Of the &C :
counts which were assigned as collateral
were slow pay.
"Of course. you understand" Pur-
Wis had said. that these folks are slow
pay, but they are good. and the longer
they delay the more we get, and any
how. we have - per cent lceway, for
! only loan seventy five dollars on $100
worth of accounts owing
Well, things had drifted on for six
months with Purvis giving the girl a
few dollars from time to time ito ap-
ply against interest" On this trifle
she had to struggle along. In fact, she
col In, &c 4
some odds and ends of furniture to help
her expenses. Every month Purvis gave
her new notes with new lists of accounts
payable which constituted the security.
These notes were ever increasing in
size, for extra collateral to cover ac-
cumulated interest was added.
On paper she was still getting her in =
terest but-no cash had been forthcom-
ing for two months and to get even the
bareSt of living Susan Maitland was
doing fancy sewing at the homes of GER
tain wealthy women.
This was the condition she was in
when Mamie happened to call at her
shabby room. Mamie called to sell her
some soap-she stayed to comfort the
lonely girl.
Susan explained. half apologdically {:
"When Miss Cleft called | had Just
been crying. 1t was silly of me, |
know. butt was hungry and all had
was" she gave little hysterical laugh,
was some new notes from Mr.. Purvis.
When Miss Cleft saw me she just looked
at me and said. Say. kid. you don't
want no soap-you want summat else
what is it,
Il never thought could tell anybody.
but somehow-Miss Cleft is so fine and
strong. she just put her arms around
me and sat down in my own room and
i told her all about it-and now-I'm
here with you, Mr.. Duke-all through
her. God bless her generous, good ma
tured heart.
There was silence for few minutes
and then Duke asked:
"Have you told Purvis you have seen
me?'
NO"
"IIe has no idea you have told any
body?"
mot the least
"What is his address?''
Room 124S Karmel Building, Mas
sau street.
Come back this time next week. Miss
Maitland, but be careful not to mention
this matter to any one.
Then he.helped her on with her cloak
and she left us.