South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-08

Z nb iiei NHAltC tAtG NhdhtIhCL Aldu III
discounts in half an hour. If so, he
could examine the other bank, i'm
mediately afterward, and catch the
11:45, the only other train that day
in the direction he was working.
Otherwise, he would have 10 spend
the right and sunday in this un-
interesting western town. That
was why Mr.. Nettlewick was rushA
ing matters.
Come with me. sir" said Major
Kingman, In his deep voice, that
united the southern drawl with the
rhythmic tWang Of the west. I'VE
will 90 over them together. No
body In the bank knows those notes
as ! do. Some OF EN- are a little
wobbly on their legs. and some are
mavericks without extra many
brands on their backs. but they'll
most all pay out at the roundup"
The two sat down at the presi-
dents desk. First, the examiner
went through the notes at light
ming speed, and added up their to-
tai, finding IL to agree with the
amount of loans carried on the
book of daily balances Next, he
took up the larger loans, inquirinS
Scrupulously into the condition OF
their endorsers or securities. The
new examiners mind seemed to
course and turn and make uncx~
pected dashes hither and thither
like a bloodhound seeking a trail
Finally he pushed aside all the notes
except a few, which he arranged
in a neat pile before him, and be-
gan a dry. formal little speech.
I find sir. the condition OF your
bank TO be very good. considering
the poor crops and the depression
in the cattle Interests OF your state
The clerical work seems TO be done
accurately and punctually. Your
past-due paper is moderate in
amount, and promises only a small
loss. would recommend the call
ing in OF your large loans, and the
making of only so and go day or
call loans until general business re-
wives. And now, there is one thing
more, and 1 will have finished with
TIE bank. Here are six notes aggre-
eating something like $4,000. They
are secured. according TO their
faces, by various stocks, bonds,
shares. etc, TO the value Of SIC, 1000.
/ Those securities are missing from
the notes 10 which they should be
attached. j suppose you have them
D
nit me TO examine them"
Major Toms light blue eyes
turned unflinchingly toward the ex-
aminer.
mo, sir" he said. in a low but
steady tone. those securities are
neither I'm the safe nor the vault. l
have taken them. You may hold
me personally responsible for their
| absence"
Nettlewick felt a slight thrill. He
had not expected this He had
struck a momentous trail when the
hunt was drawing TO a close
All" said the examiner. He
waited a moment, and then con-
unued: May ask YOU to explain
more defnitely?"
The securities were taken by
I me- repeated the major. 1T was
\ not for my own use, but TO save an
\ old friend in trou0le. Come in here,
/ sir, and We'll talk IL overt"
| He led the examiner into the
l hanks private office at the rear,
\ and closed the door. There was a
\ desk. aad a table, and half -a-doz-
/ en- leather-covered chairs. On the
I wall was the mounted head of a
\ Texas steer with horns i've feet from
/ TIP 20 tip. opposite hung the ma
] IOl : OAu CIV airy SdDeE Nll4l ne naQ
/ carried at Shiloh and Fort Pillow.
Placing a chair for Nettlewick,
/ the major seated himself by the
/ window, from which he could see
/ the pCstoffice and the carved lime
\ stone front Of the Stockman's Ma
\ tional. re did not SPEAK at once,
/ and Nettlewick felt, perhaps, that
! the ice should be broken BY some
\ thing so near its own temperature as
! the voice OF Official warning.
Your statement" he began,
/ since you nave failed 10 modify
\ II, very serious thing. You are
/ aware also, OF what my duty must
l compel me 10 do. I shall have 70
/ so before TIE United States commits
| sioner ana make"
4 know. I know" said Major
/ Tom, with a wave OF his hand
You don't suppose I'd run a bank
/ without being posted on national
banking laws and the revised sta
tutes' DO your duty. I m not ask
my anw favors. But. I spoke OF my
. friend / did want you 70 hear me-
F tell YOU about Bob"
\ettlewick settled himself in his
. chair There would be no leavin1
san Rosario for him that day. He
would have 10 telegraph 10 the
\ comptroller Of the currency. he
/ would have To swear out a warrant
before the United States cor.mis-
sioner for the arrest OF Major King