The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-07-25

S=--z1Is N<s<Nlrs9lfoe-=@i
! ground, and hurried from there on
foot, for the cars go slowly through
this snow. That is why l was so out
OF breath, for / am a man who takes
very little exercise. ] feel better now,
and l will put the facts before YOU as
shortly and yet as clearly as I can.
1T is, of course. well known to you
that IN successful banking business
as much depends upon our being able
10 tlnd remunerative investments for
our funds as upon our increasing our
connection and the number of our de-
positors. One of our most lucrative
means of laying out money is in tho
shape OF loans, where the security is
unlmpeachable. We have done a good
ueai IN TINS direction during the last.
| rev years, and there are many notable
iamllles to whom we have advanced
| large sums upon the security of their
pictures, libraries, or plate.
yesterday morning was seated in
| my ONCE at the bank when a card
was Drought in to me by one of the
| clerks. l started when I saw the
| name, for it was that of none other
! MAXWELL, perhaps even to you had
better say no more than it was a name
which is a household word all over
! the earth-one of the highest, noblest,
most exalted names in England. l
was overwhelmed by the honor and
attempted, when he entered, to saw
SO, but he plunged at once into bust
ness with the air of man who wishes
to hurry quickly through a disagree
| able task
Mr.. Holder said he, Z have been
| informed that you are in the habit OF
advancing money
The firm does so when the secur-
ity is good l answered.
1t is absolutely essential to me-
said he, that l should have 100000
once. | could of course borrow so
trifling sum ten times over from nv
friends, but | much prefer to make it
a matter of business, and to carry out
| the business myself. In my position
you can readily understand that it Is
unwise to place ones self under OBJ
legations
For how long, may I ask, do YOU
want this sum- l asked.
Next Monday l have a large SUN
due to me, and l shall then most GER
| tainly repay what you advance with
whatever interest you think it right
to charge. But it is very essential to
me that the money should be paid At
once
! I should be happy to advance il
without further parley from my own
private purse said l, were it not thar
the strain would be rather more than
| it could bear. If, on the other hand
/ am to do it in the name of the firm.
| then in justice to my partner | must
insist that, even in your case, every
business-like precaution should be
taken
should much prefer to have ii
So, said he, raising up a square black
morocco case which he had laid be-
side the chair. You have doubtless
heard of the Beryl Coronet?'
One of the most precious public
possessions OF the empire said I.
Precisely He opened the case.
and there, imbedded in the soft, flesh
| colored velvet, lay the magnificent
piece OF jewelry which he had named.
There are thirty-nine enormous
berys,' said he, and the price of the
gold chasing is incalucuable The low
est estimate would put the worth OF
the coronet at double the sum which
l have asked. / am prepared to leave
it with you as my security
i took the precious case into my
hands and looked in some perplexity
from it to my illustrious client.
"'You doubt its value?' he asked.
Not at all / only doubt
! The propriety CT my leaving it.
You may set your mind at rest about
that. | should not dream of doing so
were it not absolutely certain that
| should be able in four days to re-
claim it. 1t is a pure matter of form.
Is the security sufficient
Ample
You understand, Mr.. Holder, that
/ am giving you strong proof of the
| confidence which have in you, found
ed upon all that I have heard of you.
| rely upon you to be discreet and to
refrain from all gossip upon the mat
ter, but. above all, to preserve the cor
onet with every possible precaution.
because | need not say that a great
public scandal would be caused il any
harm were to befall it. Any injury to
1t would be almost as serious as its
complete loss, for there are no beryls
in the world to match these. and it
would be impossible to replace them.
leave it with you, however, with
every confidence, and l. shall call for
it in person on Monday morning