The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-11-06

ct SRAEL MEYERS, Drosses," was
l the sign over the doorway of the
bank-like building l entered.
Twenty years agone Israel Meyers
had graduated from a one-horse junk
business to the dignity of a scrap
iron yard. Twelve years later he had
gone into 'urosses."
Never q burglar brought his booty
to Israel Meyers to be melted up past
| Identification. Israel was honest. That
was why he was rated Co." which
means "$I25,OOO," and ia which
means 1.-The highest grade of credit"
OF all this l, Roy Burley, was think
ing. l came on duty bent, but with .
pleased. expectant sense as well. Is
rael lived with his family at the rear
of the counting room and its great
safe-filled vault, and a part of the
household was Miss lola Purcell. She
was not relative of the dresses man,
but for three years had been his stem
ographer, boOkkeeper and private sec
retary. AS a commercial reporter for
an agency that was the credit censor
of the world, had to visit the place
on my round of duties several times
during the year. Just now had come
on special mission. 1t appeared that
Meyers had paid down $4,000 on the
purchase of large mine. 1t was q
rare bargain, but the seller wanted to
be sure the balance would come along
In stipulated installments. Our rating
guaranteed 1t, but l wanted a new
financial statement to be sure we were
right.
l entered he counting room, to find
1t untenanted, sat down beside a desk
and waited.
Upon the desk lay an open letter,
apparently just received. At glance
l saw that 1t was addressed to Miss
Purcell and from Meyer. 1t told her
that the manager of their great branch
house in another city had disappeared
with almost its entire cash capital,
which meant failure and ruin un-
less"
A step behind me prevented my
reading further It was Miss Purcell,
but l had already gained a great tip.
The house of Israel Meyer was in
solvent and that item of news be-
longed to my agency.
AS 1 spoke such words as casual
CALL" new statement" and the like,
she smiled graciously and took from
the desk signed audited statement
showing the business in the most solv-
ent condition in the world.
"As of the twenty-fifth," she re-
minded. by the way, as you are here
have you ever looked over our stOckf
Mop" She led the way to the open
vault doorway guarded only by the
heavily barred inner door. She
bowed me ahead of her-clickl
The door had crashed to upon me,
shutting me into the vault helpless
prisoner. 1 watched my captor run to
the front door and close and lock It
to prevent any intrusion.
do you understand" she asked,
with a doubtful smile playing about
her lips.
81 think So" rejoined, with q shruG
Of my shoulders. "It is clever. You
know that 1 comprehend the house u
ON the rocks. How long can you keep
1t quiet7"
"Twenty-four hours" she answered
with confidence. land by that time We
will have tided over the stress. You
are the only one who has received .
hint of the truth"
DUTY is duty, and with freedom I
should certainly have sent my unfor-
tunate news broadcast. 1 was clev-
erly trapped" admitted.
Listen" spoke my fair gaoler; '.you
will be glad of my action later on.
1 will pass through the bars whatever
food you care for. and cigars. I Will
talk with you, read to you. There -
4 piano in the nearest living room. I
will. II you choose. play and sing for
you"
"Charmingl" 1 laughed truly So
But what of the penalty to me of re-
naming absent from my work.
You SHAH not suffer for It," said
Miss Purcell, quietly and reassuringly-
Then she left me to sleep on some
blankets she had passed through the
bars of the door.
About the middle Of the night 1
awoke. 1 heard strange boring
sound. lay still and watched They
bored hole through the floor and .
human hand probed about to locate
the trap lock. l seized it and shouted
out. In few minutes Miss Purcell
appeared. 1 explained the situation
Burglars" she said. Let go of tho
hand. With you here, do not care
to court an explanation with the po-
lice"
1t was daylight when she went to
the street door to receive an early tel
egram. She read 1t, smiled, and
passed 1t to me.
Have raised the hundred thousand
from my brother" 1t ran. "Crisis
| past. Home tomorrow.-Israel Meyer"
You can go-and thank you for
your company" she said naively.
81 would like to call again." re-