The Bank of England.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 12, 22 March 1911, Page 9

The Bank of England.

That little scene at the Bank of England, when an armed lunatic, who demanded huge sums, was arrested, the other day, after a tremendous struggle, is a reminder that the Old Lady of Thread-needle-street has had many shocks since the days of her youth. Not the least of them happened about forty years ago, when a man actually broke into the Bank at night., notwithstanding the armed guard. One day the directors received an anonymous letter stating that the writer would be pleased to meet any of them at midnight in the strong room, and a week later they were staggered by. receiving a box containing many priceless securities from their vaults. Along with it came another invitation to a midnight meeting. This time the directors were alarmed, and accepted. Three wen went into the vaults an waited. Presently they heard a scraping noise, and then a light Hashed on them and disappeared. Then a mants voice came, promising that if they would out out their lights he would come 011 the seene. He di<l so. and explained that he was a sewer-cleaner, who had discovered a disused drain which ran into the vault*. The Old Lady recovered from her surprise, and, as the man had stolen nothing, rewarded him handsomely.