THE EXINGTION BANK.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9283, 7 December 1895, Page 2

THE EXINGTION BANK.

Temple Bar. "Anstruther," said Hardy, "you put a very searching question." "No doubt," I answered. " But I thought among friends " " Even among friends," rejoined he, " I consider that to ask a hypnotist whether his feats of skill are merely deceptions is a fairly searching question. Still, I shall answer you if you will agree that what I say shall be in confidence."

"Agreed." "Frankly then," said Hardy, "some of them are, and some are not. You see, a public hypnotist is in a peculiar position. I profess to use a subject, and could if I pleased take one about with mc. But the British public pronounce that collusion, and will have none of it. On the other hand, they are disappointed if I don't give some remarkable manifestation every night. It does not follow that I can find a subject, so I have to provide against emergencies." " Was your ' emergency man,' if I may be allowed the expression, performing tonight?" "I don't mind admitting that he was," said Hardy with an ingenuous smile. " Then I guess he was the man who sang a comic song and pretended to feed a baby ?" " You've nit it," assented Hardy placidly. " Then you were hard pressed to-night ♦" "I was, but I need not have been," said he. " I told you two of our difficulties. We are not allowed our own medium, and sometimes cannot chance on another. There is still a third hardship. Sometimes the man is there, and I can't make use of him." "Why not?"

"Because a man may be an excellent subject, and object to be exhibited on a public platform. Suppose he is the vicar. You can't make him sing a comic song before hiß congregation. I could compel him to do it, but the attendances would drop off in consequence." "I think they might." I assented laughing. " At least, you could not expect the vicara to come. But is our vicar a subject ?" " Not that I know," said Hardy slowly, as he lit another cigar. " But there was a most interesting subject present to-night, if I could only have used him." " Really," I said, " how exciting ! Who was he?" "Never saw him in my life before,"re-

fixed he carelessly, " but I can tell you this ; had the utmost difficulty to prevent him from betraying himself to-night. I really had to forbid him to move, or he would have come to mc on the platform, and then you would have seen something." "And to think you will never see him again. 1 ' "As to that, if I wanted to see him, I could bring him here in live minutes, or as quick as he could come. I don't know where he lives, you know." "I simply don't believe it," I answered, "or rather, ho is, I suppose, one of your emergencies, for which you have provided." Hardy laughed. " My dear Anstruther, have I not trouble enough over my performances all day without arranging others at night ? Do yoa think I would not rather have a quiet talk about old times than spend a night iv bamboozling you. Besides you introduced the subject yourself." '•So I did," I assented apologetically, 44 but I can't believe "' "I don't want you to believe ; I only tell you that. I could order that man to coma here if I like, get him to do what I like, and send him back again to bed without his knowing in the morning what had happened to him." " Well, do it then." 44 To oblige you I don't mind trying. Mind I shall not put too much pressure on him. He is an old man, and if he is far away wont come. Still, if he does come, that you may not say I went to fetch him, lock mc into the bedroom for twenty minutes. If he is not here by then, he is too far off to come." I examined the bedroom. It had no door except that into the passage. I thought escape by the window was impossible, for I knew the hotel well; but to make sure I rang for the waiter after locking Hardy in, and gave him a half-a-crown to watch the window outside for twenty minutes. I listened at the door myself, and could hear Hardy moving and breathing in the room. I kept my eye on my watch. Ten minutes elapsed, and I was getting tired of waiting. You have no idea how long ten minutes is when you want it over. In a quarter of an hour I heard Hardy's voice at the door. 44 Anstruther, let mc out, he's coming now. We'll see him in the sitting-room." I opened his door, and we went into the sitting-room, I was somewhat alarmed, but Hardy seemed to take it as a matter of course. " Mind, I don't know the man. But as you know every one in Exington, you must tell mc what to ask him." Scarcely were the words out of his mouth when the door opened, and an elderly gentleman entered. He walked to a chair as if nothing unusual were happening, and seated himself, saying— " I am here." I should have said that I live at Exington, and am confidential manager to the firm of Renfrew, Crawford, Leitch and Co., a wellknown though not long established banking house. My position depends on the goodwill of the partners, but I had every reason to rely on it. Imagine then my horror when, in the interesting subject on whom Hardy and I were experimenting. I recognised the the well-known farm of Mr Septimus Renfrew, the senior partner—in fact, the creator of the business. He was looking at mc with as little concern as if we had been in the bank parlour together, but to my delight he seemed not to recognise mc. I returned his look, but did ndt dare to utter a word. Ruin stared mc in the face if to-morrow he recognised that he'had been the victim of a freak of mine, and I heartily wished I had never challenged Hardy to this senseless trial of his skill. He, however, had no fears. He came up to mc and whispered, " What shall I ask him ? What's his name ? The position was most embarrassing. There sat my employer gazing at mc placidly. He seemed quite collected, in full possession of his faculties. With a mixture of shyness and alarm, I had to name him and propound a question. At last he turned to Hard}'. 44 You sent for mc, —why ?" V Confound it, man !" whispered Hardy, "can't you answer? His name aud a question." I collected myself. Evidently Mr Renfrew did not recognise mc, and as it could only be due to Hardy's influence that he did not, it might cease if I delayed longer. So I answered quickly— 4 'Septimu3 Renfrew. Ask him how he began banking.'' 44 1 sent for you, Mr Renfrew," began Hardy, in a tone he might have used in addressing his butler, " because I wanted to hear how you were first led to begin bank-

imj." Mr Renfrew's face blanched, and he hesitated.

" Now, Mr Renfrew. lam waiting." "Could you not choose some other subject ?" stammered he. "I choose to select this one," replied Hardy loftily. " I had rather not speak of it," said Mr Renfrew, piteously. "It is a subject I never mention to any one. I have not said a word about it since Campbell died."

" Campbell! Who was he ?" "My partner. He was very clever. Much cleverer than I. Such decision of character. Not very scrupulous, but I can't well blame him."

" You interest mc very much," said Hardy with a side glance at mc. " You and Campbell came here together, I suppose." "Yes, we did—together—but I had rather not mention it."

The situation was becoming intolerable. I could not tell what was coming. But in any case it was a breach of duty to sit by while something he was reluctant to tell was drawn out of the mouth of my employer. I could not permit it, so I spoke in a whisper to Hardy, Mr Renfrew all the time looking on as if our conversation did not concern him.

" Stop, Hardy ! If he does not want to answer, don't press him. If. you persist it will ruin mc. He is the head of our bank." " The head of your bank !" Then he recovered himself. "If I keep my hold on him, you will not be recognised. Interrupt mc again at your peril." I was silent. I reflected, my, curipsity had brought this upon Hardy. So, as he seemed confident of his powers, I thought it prudent to 4et him alone. "Now, Mr P.enfrew. You have had a good time to consider. Begin at once." " I had rather not," began he. "But you must," broke in Hardy. *'I command you." "Do you want mc to begin from the beginning?" "From the very beginning. When you first met Campbell." " That was when we were clerks," he began with what seemed strange timidity. "We ran away because we thought we were found out." " Found out in what ?" ' " We collected some money." *' And I suppose—forgot to enter it in the books ?" suggested Hardy. "I'm sorry to say we did," replied my principal sadly. His slow words and deep dejection were so pathetic, that at all costs I determined to interfere. He had done mc many an act of kindness. The recollection of them made mc sign to Hardy, but he only glared at mc and 'continued his ruthless questions. " How much was it ?"

-' "We each' got two hundred pounds. Baigent must have found it out only he was so ill. He. died the day we were to go, and Campbell made mc stay and work a week's notice. Oh, that week ! They never found us out after all; young Baigent was no use at figures." " And then you came here?" "Yes, Campbell thought it was a good place, and so it was." " Did you come here to start a bank ?" "Yes, Campbell's idea was to do something of the kind." "And of the same kind as the Baigent business V " Yes, like that." . " He must have been an astonishingly clever fellow ?" "He was," but unscrupulous," sighed Renfrew. "He put it thiswwar.j r . To>etart a bank, you need one of two things—capital and credit. But as the only use of capital is to get you credit, it follows that if* you have credit you don't need capital. He said he did not reckon courage, because we had that. I remember he laughed as he added, ' At least I have courage, and you have desperation, which does just as well." There was a pause. " Go on," said Hardy, and Mr Renfrew continued in a monotonous voice— " We had two hundred pounds apiece. Campbell proposed to spend half of it in getting credit. ' The other half,' he added, ' will, in any case, help us to get away.' " " I don't understand you, Mr Renfrew,"

said Hardy ; •* I hope you are not concealing j anything or trifling with ms." > "Oh, no," protested he, "I am not trifling. I didn't understand Campbell j myself at the time, so I am not surprised 1 that you don't understand mc." I " Well, how did you proceed?"said Hardy, j reassured. i " We came here, aud lived for a month or ; , so in tiie bsst style. Not extravagantly, j Campbe}! said that would not do. We lived, j he said, as befitted our position. He told > them at the hotel that we meant to open a bank, and of course the proprietor told every one he met. We took three or four . rooms as temporary premises. YoU can see them now in Cross Street. One room looked into the street, one of the two behind ' op?oad into the back lane." j "So that you could get away easily ?" 1 " I think so. We went to the churches J and chapels. I remember we tossed. I got ! the chtpels, and he the churches. We sub- i scribed to the charities and building funds, j attended missionary meeting?, antl that sort , of thing. Thus we became acquainted with j some oi the richer people, and were asked i to dinner. We mentioned the new bank * whenever we could." i " The subscriptions must have made a ' large hole in your ..200," suggested Hardy, j '• Not yery* large," he responded cheer- ; fully. "We only promised most of them, j you know." i " Oh, I see." j " Besides it was understood that the funds were to be deposited with us. Campbell distributed circulars, saying the bank was opened to meet along-felt need (' That's true enough,' he said to mc). We promised 7% on deposits. I wanted to make it 10, but Campbell thought that would look too good, so we only said seven." I was simply thunderstruck. 7% on deposits. It would ruin any bank. They only gave 2% now, and even then we had difficulty in making ends meet. However, I remembered that Mr Renfrevv was under an unknown influence, and his statements were probably not to be relied on. This consideration relieved my conscience, because if one part of his story were incorrect, the whole of it might be so, and then I was the less guilty in listening to a revelation which, though it looked ugly, was probably—well, inexact—all through. Evidently Hardy believed every word, for he continued— " That was a bold offer." " It was," assented Mr Renfrew bluntly. " Campbell said it did not matter. What we wanted was—business." " Money?" suggested Hardy. " Yes, yes ; the money ! Campbell called on one or two business bouses in the town, which he fancied were in difficulties, Raeburn wa3 one. We offered him an overdraft without security if he would transfer his account to us." "Why without security?" " The other banks had that, you know," j he said confidentially. " There were a good many other firms in'the same condition, and i they accepted our offers. Young Mont- ] gomery gave us a good many hints and introductions." " Who was young Montgomery?" " Lord Abchester s eldest son. He is the present earl. His father, who died about the time the bank opened, was one of our j first customers." This enabled mc to fix a date by which I | could test the truth of this wonderful story. J We all knew.Lord Abchester at the bank, j A prematurely old man, immensely wealthy, the owner of half the minerals in the count}-. His father, the fir.st earl, made his ; money by enterprise, and became a peer by party services. But the story was too old for mc to know anything but the bare j outlines. "Lord Abchester?" exclaimed Hardy in surprise. "It was done through his son," replied j Renfrew simply. j '' Yes, but how did you become so intimate i with the son in a month ?" j

"It was not so difficult in those days," said he, smiling. " Young Montgomery was very different from what he is now—just as I am," and he sighed. "He was a wild young fellow, who owed money all over the country. He and his father got on badly in consequence, and he spent a lot of time at the hotel. The barmaid I believe was one of the attractions. Then Campbell got to know him. We gave him dinners, and lent him a little money, and promised him more when the bank got fairly started."

I am sorry to admit that all this bygone scandal interested mc so much that I entirely forrot my own responsibilities. I know I ought to have stopped Hardy at any cost. But he ignored my close relations with Mr Renfrew, and before I could recall myself to my duty,.continued briskly— "Now tell us how you opened the hank ?"

"We began on Saturday," July 2nd," pursued Mr Renfrew in a dreamy voice. "We b.gan on Saturday because Sunday gave us time, and the farmers came into town on Saturday. A good deal of money was put in on Saturday and not much drawn out. So we began on Saturday. W e bad one clerk, Leitch, the son of one of the clergymen in the town. He deposited £1000, partly as security, and partly to, induce us to make him chief cashier. It was Campbell's idea to get the money. He pointed out how useful he could be both because he was well known in the town and because he knew nothings about business. When Campbell and I went to the bank at nine o'clock, we found him waiting, and Campbell gave him very strict instructions. "* Leitch,' he, said, 'we have agreed to mak,e you chief cashier, on the recommendation of your good father, and you must not forget that we depend on your discretion not to compromise the good name of the hank by any error. For a short time—until we get to know our customers—you must pay no money without inquiry. You can receive all the cheques presented and say we are both out. and ask the presenter to call riext day. Then you can bring them in to us to have the signatures,verified.' " Leitch promised to do this, and all that day Campbell and I sat in the back room before our*vacant books. For a long time no one came in, and we regarded each other with grave faces. About half-past ten Leitch brought >n £23 10s which a farmer wished to deposit. Then came one or two clergymen, and a Baptist minister with cheques on rival banks, for the amounts.of building and other founds. I took the signatures while Campbell slipped out at the back and cashed the cheques. We put the money into a hand-bag (I have it still), and by the time the bank closed at one we had £343 10s lid in deposits, and.Leitch's £1000, all in notes and gold. Leitbh was delighted, and congratulated us warmly, and he brought in a "further supply of cheques, which we had not time to cash. Campbell took it all as a matter of course, and .when we had dismissed Leitch we sat down to consider the situation: Campbell took up Bradshaw. 'Exington 5.30; London 7.20. The Continental trains run on Sunday as well as on week-days. Barcelona 5.30, Monday.' He turned to the books—' £1343 10s. Put the capital at £400, including travelling expenses ; that makes 33-_% made in, say, three months. If we go on at that rate we should make 1343% per annum.' "' Excuse me,' I said, for I like to be accurate in business,' but the capital is included in the sum of £1343, so that we can put only £943 to- the credit of profit and loss, or say 230%.' " • Quite right,' said Campbell ; " it's not so good as I thought. We cannot leave our country for £943. Let us see what happens on Monday. We can at least cash tnese cheques, which come to £70 more." " ' Is it not-a fearful risk ?' I began. But Campbell broke in "' Is it a risk V he cried with a laugh. 'The whole thing's a risk. But we need not leave the game half played.' " Campbell had a very peculiar influence over mc; I felt I had to do as he said, just as if it were yon. We went back to the hotel with our bag of money. We dined well, and Montgomery dined with us. Campbell was as light-hearted as a schoolboy, but I was too anxions to enjoy myself, so I went to bed early, leaving the others playing ecarte. I spent such a night as I spent during the week we worked our notice at Baigent's. I dreamt of prison, and took the chambermaid's knock for a summons to execution. "Campbell was still in good spirits at breakfast. He had won from Montgomery, and said he thought we here in a vein of luck. I hoped so. He made mc go to chapel. He went to church. I shall never forget walking through the streets all alone with my secret. Leitch passed, all smile 3. I am sure I blushed. The minister clapped mc on the shoulder, and I started like one stung. I had great difficulty to persuade him I was not offended. \We got through the day somehow, and Z for one was delighted when Monday came.

It brought us nearer the crisis ;• but then we had something to do, and anything was better than waiting and thinking. Campbell cashed all the cheques, as before, and put the money into the hag. He kept a sheet of paper before him. adding up the amounts as they came in. Tiie Bradshaw lay on one side oi him, and his watch on the other. For mere want ot* occupation I opened headings in the b-joks. Raeburn sent us a parcel of hills, aud psonle entered to present cheques. We could hear Lei tea making all sorts o: excuses. We were out. The books were not in order yet. Then he brought in the cheques, of which Campbell nude a list, to see. as he said, whether it would pay to cash them. At last Leitch announced that Montgomery was in the bank, and was told to bring him in." Again I resolved to interpose. I rose and cam. behind Hardy, and whispered to him. He turned, pushed "ma back iuto my chair, and resumed— " What did Montgomery say?" "He said, * I meant to have sent you a cheque this morning. Campbell, but I thought I would come and see you on business instead.' . ' " ' Sit down, my'dear fellow,' said Campbell ; ' we can spare you more time to-day than we m_j r be able to give you a_ week hence. You owe mc, I think, ..50 for money lent and £170 for Saturday. Shocking liick you had ; I must give you your revenge.' "'Certainly,' rejoined he. 'I came to see you on the subject of money. It would be inconvenient, to mc to pay you at present, and I thought it would be as well to open an account here, and have a small overdraft, say £1000.' " I expected to see Campbell jump up and turn him out, but to my surprise he only smiled. "' It would suit us very well. What did you say was the security ?' "•That's the difficulty. The governor's estates are entailed on mc. But then he's alive and kicking. How would a post-obit do?' " Too remote for a banker, my boy,' said Campbell genially. * You see how it would profit the other banks to make a run on us and catch us short of cash. But a bill with a good name—your father's, for instance.' '""Montgomery laughed shortly, and seemed about to speak. Then he checked himself. ''' You would not negotiate it V " Oh, dear no, we are not likely to want it except man emergency. It is quite a friendly transaction, and you'll take it up when the old man dies.' "Montgomerj' turned rather pale, but answered with affected indifference, ' I'll see about it.' " When he was gone I turned to Campbell. " ' You know he has not a penny in the I world.' *' He looked at mc very hard and answered calmly— "' i think it might suit us. . Wait till we see his bill. He has not got the money yet, you know.' " That evening we had £500 more, and not a cheque paid. The people knew Leitch and accepted his excuses with a good grace. All told the cheques presented came to £300, so as Campbell said we could afford to go on at that rate as long as they liked, and he thought he would see the week out. In vain I protested, and urged the risk. Campbell had no fear ; besides he kept all the ! money. That evening I was so ill with ; apprehension that I ate but little dinner, and went to bed immediately after. " Next morning Campbell came to breakfast in a very strange state. He chuckled to himself, and hummed a song or two. I thought him insane, for in our awful circumstances I could find no reason for mirth. Indeed, 1 was quite angry when he took mc by j the arm and told mc to come to the bank at I half-past nine. We spoke little on the way, j and Campbell sent Leitch at once for a bottle i of brandy, and poured out a large glass. ! "'Dank this,' he said; 'your face is enough to sink the Bank of England.' He turned to Leitch. ' Pay all the people who presented cheques yesterday. 1 have had i time to see they are in order. Put off those | who bring fresh cheques till to-morrow as ! usual. And by-the-way, the Hon. C. Monti gomery has an account. Here is a cheque [of his for £220. He may overdraw up to £1000, but of course treat his cheques like the others when they are presented.' "'You mean asit them to wait a day,' said Leitch. 'Of course you know all about Mr Montgomery V " * I know he is the heir of Lord Abchester, ' and a very pleasant young gentleman.' " I mean do you know that he owes money all over the town, and that no one else will lend him a farthing V "' So he bears a bad character?' said Campbell simply. 'Thank you for your warning, Leitch.' Then he turned to mc. .' You see how wise we were to have a local I man with us. Do you know Lord Abche3ter, jLeitch?' I " «Very well; be attends my father's j church.' "' So he does,' said Campbell. ' Will you I go and ask him to look in here some time in ; the course of the day. If he demurs, hint ; that it is a family matter, and we don't wish ito go to his office. But we must see him i to-day.' " ' Campbell,' I broke in when Leitch was j gone, ' how long is this to last ? Do you not '. see the suspense is killing mc V \ "'You do look rather bad, Renfrew.. '• Have some more brandy. Yon should have i thought of the worry of business before you i bagan banking. What do you propose to do?' " * Do? Get out of the place with all we can lay our hands on, and be in Spain " "If we had gone on Saturday' interrupted Campbell, looking over the sheets lie had prepared, 'we should have netted £1343. Last night it was £1840. As we are going to pay cheques to-day, we shall probably have about the same to-night, or more. Raeburn will want money on Friday, but this is only Tuesday. So, Renfrew, I mean to see this out, and get as much as I can. That you are frightened now makes no sort of difference, because your panic comes too late. £2000 will not last long, and what will you do then ? Even the British public will not stand this sort of thing often.' " I was about to answer him, when Leitch announced Lord Abchester, and Campbell had just time to say, 'If you speak a word, we are ruined,' when he entered." " This is a very interesting discussion, Mr Renfrew," interposed Hardy. " _ think Campbell was right." " Ah, sir, he was most unscrupulous," protested he. "When I saw that old-man, with the long white hair falling over his high brow, and piercing grey eyes, I felt my position keenly, I assure you. His knees seemed weak, and he walked with a Blight stoop, but he sat down composedly, and waited for Campbell to begin. " I am sorry we have not a, better office to receive yon in, Lord Abchester.' "I had a worse one when I began business. ' "I hope we may meet with as much success. Bankers have to be cautious as to their securities, and as we have made, and are to make advances on a bill signed by you, and are not well acquainted with your signature, we thought it desirable to see that it was genuine. A mere matter of form of course.' " Lord Abchester examined the bill, and his face grew ashy pale. "' Who gave you this f " • Your son. We have already advanced £200 on it. But as it was a first transaction " "The old man evidently controlled himself with a great effort. He glared at Campbell, who returned the look without an appearance of concern. At last Lord Abchest_r spoke. " 'The signature is mine.' " ' Then we are quite satisfied with our security,' said Campbell, quietly folding up the bill. ' There ia one thing yon can do for us, Lord Abchester. It would be a great service to a new bank like ours if you would transfer your account to us. No doubt you would also arrange to keep £20,000 permanently to your credit.' . " * Impossible ! Why should I ' " ' Why should you not assist "a young concern?' said Campbell with a meaning smile. " ' But you have no claim on me.' '"An act of kindness like this will be a asting credit to your name and family.' " Lord Abchester looked at him intently. "' Do yoa dare 'he snarled. •"I saw it done.' There was a long pause, then Campbell—'lt is understood you transfer the account here ¥' '" Give mc back the bill.' "'We do not part with securities like that,' said Campbell drily, ' but as long as you comply with the conditions, you may be sure this bill will not be mentioned.'

" ' You drive hard bargains,' he said, and clutched his hat and stick, and staggered from the room. Campbell waited till he had been gone some minutes. Then he took up Bradshaw and flung it to the furthest corner of the office. " ' We don't want that now.' '"We shall on Thursday,' said I, picking it up. " I suppose he'll pay the money to- I morrow.' j " I thought you had more brains, Renfrew. Can't you rise above the methods of the common pickpocket—filching and running away ? Sit dowu and put these books in order. At least you learnt that at Baigent's." " What, and leave behind us proof of what we have done V " 'Idiot, said Campbell, 'I shall not goat all. Don't you see "that we have made a business ?' I leapt from my chair and clutched the back, while he showed how this account would bring in others, and the cash in hand enable us to trade, and we had only to be honest and our fortune was made. "It has all come true," he continued; '' we never looked behind us since. It killed Lord Abchester. He died within a month, but his son had to agree to our terms as well. Campbell took most of the money to London, and lent it to other young Montgomerys. You've heard of Sam Israels?" He was Campbell." There was silence when Mr Renfrew concluded. Hardy broke it. "Thank you, Mr Renfrew. Your story is most interesting. Now, remember, you may be asked for it again. I order you not to tell it, and you know you can't disobey mc." «' I know." " Now you can go home again. I wish to ask you nothing more." "Thank you," and he turned and went out. ; "Hardy," I said, as the door closed, "I am ruined." "Why?" I "He is certain to remember this tomorrow, and will never forgive mc for hearing his confession." " My dear fellow, I answer for it he will not remember a word to-morrow morning. He'll feel tired of course. If he does remember, you know too much. Find out whether Campbell ever existed. But now it is getting late, and I think I have shown you enough to-night to establish your faith in hypnotism. Good night." ' Next morning I went to the bank as usual. Mr Renfrew was late, but Mr Leitcn opened the bank, a formal old gentleman who wore swallow-tailed coats by day* with stock and high collars—yet kindly, and always ready to gossip. I bad no difficulty in identifying him with young Leitch, the tool of Renfrew and Campbell, nor in establishing the existence of Campbell. " One of the founders of the bank, Mr Anstruther. A remarkable financial genius. But he would not be cooped up in a country town." Sure of my gvound, I awaited Mr Renfrew's arrival. I gave a gasp as he came straight to my desk on entering, but it was merely to give some directions, and it was plain he remembered nothing. " Governor seems rather dficky this morning," whispered Brook. "He may have had a bad night," I answered. Hardy says we might be partners in Renfrew, Crawford, Leitch and Co. if we liked, and I believe he is right.