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3y L snows. we a most ; trip to exhibited r had pick-â€" Mr. Flav- hd all the rood form the choir When we iht 0r IO gIVE ep feeling )red capâ€" hearts of 111 heal-alas r belong‘ eek) rte .ome not one 3 the ,i ve, out. for 'th services it. Ll‘he last train boat was in, and~the inevitable iate traveler was even now W 113:4!ng down the asphalt platform. The great engine backed down and Was coupled on, the engineer tested the brakes to see if his "air” was all Figar. the steam giant throbbed and glowed with pent up energy. and the “runner," as the engineer is called in railway parlance. leaned out of his 031) on the alert for the electric cry "All aboard!” At the other side of the station an Equally interesting scene was taking Place. On one of the side tracks stood 1W0 richly appointed coaches, one the Private car Miranda and the other an ordinary Pullman sleeper and drawing Worn coach combined. Since 8 o’clock Mays ot porters and expressmen had been coming alongside heavy laden. departing empty handed and wiping their brows. Hundreds of pounds of 369 were stowed away in the long re- cfipmcles under the cars; hampers, (”rates and boxes of mineral waters. “strong waters" and delicacies were taken aboard and disposed in mYStéFl' 10. and precisely at the hour the flier would be off. The long line of vestibuled drawing room coaches was resplendent in fresh paint as though just out of the car- shops. The burnished brass work on gates, hand rails and steps shone like gold plate. While the white capped and blue uniformed otficialsâ€"brakemen, trainhands and negro portersâ€"dignifl‘ ed and self important. yet gravely ('t-UFIL'UUS withal. stood ready to wel- Come. direct or assist the fast arriving passengers. The conductor waited. wanh in hand. for the great station dock pointed at three minutes before FIRST DAY. Tm: START. In the great dome roofed station of the Pennsylvania railroad at Jersey (‘in on a certain morning in May the limited train for the west stood await- ing its ladiug of passengers. Yet when the truth was ferreted out it was seen that the actualities rivaled all the fiction that had been woven around the case. which thence-forth 100k rank as a veritable romance of the Their complete vanishment could not have been more mysterious and puz- xling had coaches and passengers been sunk fathoms deep in some dark and sgzent pool or engulfed in a bottomless canyon. Not a trace was left. not a (Jew. The railroad oflicials were nt- 192'}; at fault. Nor was the mystery elucidated until several days and nights had elapsea. Meantime the wires east and west were kept hot. popular interest and ex- citement running high in every city, town and Village in the United States and even in Canada. The wildest spec- ulations were rife as to the fate of the persons concerned. all of them more or less wide of the mark, as the sequel proved. PROLOGUE. s'mn'ruxo ms. N A certain morning in May the daily papers of the United States, from Maine to California, from the great lakes to the gulf, contained a. momentous news dispatch. It was set tank with all the bold and vivid insist- ence of black “scare heads" and punâ€" gent headlines. Some time during the previous night part of a limited express train on one of our great western trunk lines had disappeamd without leaving a trace .bchind either of coaches or passengers! The occurrence was absolutely with- out parallel in the annals of railroad- jug, and the tragic import of the incl. dent was intensified when it became known that the living freight of the lost cars included a well known and popular railroad magnate and financier at national reputation with a party of friends. among the latter some women of wealth and social prominence. BY FREDERIC REDDALL. â€"‘ cor-uncut. 1900. BY Immune RKDDALL. ILLUSTRATIONS mr 1. w. 12mm. 3:: 23:: ”vi .7 each held certain matters in reserve. Draper knew that Ives loved his niece, Chester thought he knew Where the senior had placed his affections. but the younger man did not know that {ohn Draper was resolved to signalize his own happinessâ€"should it ever come to passâ€"by doing what he could to make Madge and Chester happy at the same time. “Last of all came satan also,” in the person of Mr. Reuben K. Filley, protege and confidential clerk of John Draper. It is perhaps needless to say that the World knew the young man in the latter capacity only. Alert, keen, selfish, unscrupulous, a New York boy Here was John Dfipcr. monarch of all he surveyed. in a southern town. Although there were nearly 20 years between their ages they were friends and confldants. Yet _-____A Chester Ives was a member of the fourth estate, whose privilege it is to wield the weapon which is said to be mightier than the swordâ€"though it is often a mere blue pencilâ€"and who, by dint of patience. perseverance and per- sistence, had risen from the foot of the journalistic ladder to be “Wall street man” on one of New York’s great dal- lies. Not yet 30. he was already book- ed by his intimates for higher things. He had known John Draper when the latter was “hiding his time” in comâ€" parative obscurity as a small merchant The lady was Miss Madge Hurst. daughter of Mrs. Bradley Hurst. a piquant maiden of some 20 winters. blond. petite. blue eyed and altogether hewitchingâ€"at least so thought Mr. Chester Ives, who walked at her side. looking down from his five feet ten of masculinity at the five feet two of fem. iuinity under the broad brimmed Gainsborough hat then in vogue. Close at the heels of this trio came two others, both young, both vivacious. both bubbling over with good humor and good spirits, which were plainly their natural heritage and partly born of the prospect of this novel 0min". Down the platform they strolled. laughing and chatting gayly. yet in the tender solicitude with which the rail- road magnate handed the girl into the car might have been discovered more than the ordinary regard. supposed to subsist between guardian and ward. By her side and between the two eld- er peeple walked a girl half her age. the exact opposite of What Mrs. Hurst must have been in her youthâ€"not $0 tall. graceful, dark of hair. eyes and complexion, a Vassar alumna and now a two years’ society graduate: accom- plished. handsome and wholesomeâ€"and there you have sketched Miss Florence Gmnniss, the ward of John Draper and heiress to a cool LQzllion. With John Draper came two ladies, an older and a much younger one, and, faithful to the old precept which gives 'place to age before beauty, the former shall be described first. This was Mrs. Bradley Hurst, a married sister of our host. Fair and 40 she certainly was, but not even her bitterest enemy could have called her fat. A laughing eye, a well rounded and mature form. of me- dium height. with a carriage and man- ner that denote the thorough mistress of society and its formsâ€"this was Mrs. Bradley Hurst, the chaperon of the party. â€"__- â€"v--~vw v- life and yet young enough to enjoy the benefits the gods send to sane mortals, blessed with health. strength. a. good conscience and a better digestion, at the moment of which I write literally monarch of all be surveyed and about to take a trip of three or four thousand miles in his personal and private car, surrounded by a charming and con- genial company of his own choosing, who would bask in the sunshine of his bounty and give him grateful thanks. homage and credit for all the pleasure bestowed! So who would not be a railroad pres- ident. even it the head that carries the bondholders’ woes is sometimes un- easy! Here was John Draper, president of the Pacific and Atlantic railway, a self made man. a multimillionaire, old enough to have eschewed the follies of left seemed so to” the onlookerfithis bright May morning. Here was little to be desired. It certainly parentage, though he 5.5-- - It is a safe assertion that only one member of the party felt any regret at being there. This one was EilleL Florence admitted in her stately way that “some slight refreshment would be acceptable.” and no sooner had the wish been uttered than the millionaire clapped his handsâ€"a survival of his southern trainingâ€"when Aleck appear- ed and received the laconic order: “Luncheon immediately!” A very merry party it was which sat down to what Madge christened a “car picnic.” A long and narrow table was set up in the center of the saloon. A chair at either end was occupied by Mr. Draper and Mrs. Hurst. Florence Granniss was seated at her guardian’s right hand, with Chester next to her. Reuben Filley sat on his employer’s left. Madge and Chester were vis-a- vis at the lower end, as were, of course, Miss Granniss and Reuben Fil- ley. These positions were unchanged during much of this memorable jour- ney. "I move you. sir." she said, with grave lins. yet dancing eyes. “that the car now proceed to business and take its pleasure afterward. I’m desperate- ly hungry. Aren‘t. you. Flo?" Mrs. Hurst looked up smilingly. but it fell to Madge to answer. though John Draper happened to be regarding his ward solicitously. “Now 1 am free untii we reach Pitts. burg. Which shall it be, luncheon or recreation. the mind or the body?" For. plutocrat and man of affairs though he was. his heart was young. and the secret of much of his health and success lay in the fact that when he chose to play nothing else was al lowed to interfere. All the way between the metropolis and the city by the Schuylkill Draper and Filley were busy over their corre- spondence at what might be dubbed the business end of the saloon. Ar- rived at the Broad street station. the secretary jumped to the platform and hurried to mail several letters and dis- patch divers telegrams. Rising from his table. their host came toward the ladies. saying: By this time the millionaire‘s party were fairly well settled in their re- spective nooks and quarters. The three ladies and the maid were assigned to the double stateroom in the Miranda. .iohn Draper tool; the other and the smaller one. Between them was the saloon. where all meals were served and which answered for a general ren- dezvous and lounging place. Ives and b‘illey and the manservant bunked in the Pullman, with the negro porter Aleck for additional company and sport. ’Twas exactly three minutes of 10 when 31 switching engine pushed the president's private car and its attend ing sleeping roach out of the station and on to the main track. Here the "limited" was halted long enough to permit the necessary coupling. and then. with a final toot. the monster ongine lay down to its work and with a full head of steam wvm rushing and panting across the Hackonsacl; mead- ows. past Newark. Elizabeth. New Brunswick and Trenton. 50 miles an hour. and so into l‘hiladvlphia With this answer. delivered in a quiet but emphatic manner that brook- ed no argument. I'v‘illey was forced to be content. and with a sulky fling of his shoulders he turned away. mutter- ing to himself as soon as he was out of Draper's hearing: "The party will be smaller by one «we '11] mile‘ this side of Denver, or my 1111111951101 Reuben K. Filley!” “I thought we settled all that yester- day, Reuben,” was the repRy. “I shall certainly need you when we get to Denver. There will be a hundred and one things to attend to and mighty lit- tle time in which to do them. So let‘s hear no more about it.” “Mr. Draper,” he said, standing be- fore the desk where that gentleman sat. “is it absolutely necessary that I go along?” His arrival was hailed with an ex' clamation of satisfaction by John Dra- per. who took from him several letters and telegrams and darted into the car. Fillcy was the last of the guests, and with the coming of Mrs. Hurst’s maid, Annette, and of Draper’s man. Henry, the personnel of the party was com- plete. Filley followed his employer into the car. ' Rascal though he was. he deserves to have his pen picture like all the others of the party, and hose it is: Height. 5 feet 8; weight, 140: complexion fair; eyes steely blue, shifting and treacher- ous: a brownish yellow or “Cain col- ored” beard and mustache closely trim- med served to hide an animal jaw and a cruel mouth: ears pointed and pecul- iarly shaped, being so joined to the neck as to present no lobe; in speech garrulous. boastful and profane. He was by nature coarse and vulgar, yet by contact with the world had been licked into What passed cmrent for bluff frankness and good nature. Woe betide the man, woman or child who trusted Reuben K. Filley, for treachery was in his heart, and self was his god. claimed English, a product or the slums and the gutter, Reuben Filley had risen to the surface of the current of life in the great metropolis by the very simple method of throttling or pushing aside every other struggling swimmer who came in his way. “Do others or they’ll do you” was his cheerful motto. He attracted the no- tice of John Draper when the latter first came to New York; was taken in- to his employ as an office boy and ulti~ mately reached the post of private sec- retary, a. place which ofiered great pos- sibilities to a young man of his peculiar proclivities and of which he imme- diately proceeded to take unfair ad vantage, “Looking out for No. 1" Fil- ley called it. Plainer people fond of calling a spade by its agricultural name would have termed it lying and Stealing; but. then. Filley took care never to be found out. THE WATCHMAN-WARDER'UNDSAY, om Fillcy was lejt to swear under his yellow beard and be amiable. Granniss could see anything repulsive in such an alliance never occurred to the conceited and self satisfied fel- low. Beyond the usual conventional greetings and a few brief conversations at their casual meetings in her guard- ian‘s house there had been no inti- mate intercourse between them. Re- specting the man her mind was a blank. 0n the other hand. Reuben Fil- ley had dwelt so long on the idea of one day calling her his wife that the thought was become second only to his master passion, wealth getting. Not a gesture, not a glance, not a tone which i passed between the millionaire and his ,ward escaped his vigilant and cun- I l ning eye. Of one thing. however, he ' became sure. there was no definite unâ€" . derstanding between them as yet, lthough he shrewdly suspected that Draper would try to bring matters to a crisis during this trip. Well, so a would he! ' John has played the role of mine host most charmingly to us all. but to Florence he has been devotion itself. You know my heart is set upon their coming together. It is perfectly clear that he just idnl‘izes her. Even the odious Filley must see that against such an adversary he has no chnce. I cannot understand why John ever made him one of us, but it will give Elorcnee A gimme l.â€"Mrs. Bradley Hurst to Mr. Brad- ley Hurst. Union club. New York: ON BOARD ma Mnuxm. May 12. 1890. My Dear Bradleyâ€"l have heard you say that an ocean voyage gave a man more opportunities than any other situation to shower attentions upon the woman he liked, but from personal observation I can testify that a trip in a private railroad carâ€"especially if that is your own â€"is quite as fruitful in chances to express mac’s afccbionate SECOND DAY. THE MAIL AND THE TELEGRAPH. By virtue of that omniscience neces- sarily possessed by every story teller we may be permitted to reveal the se- crets intrusted to some of the letters sent flying eastward on that May morn- ing to their relatives and friends in New York by the various personages with whom we are en route for the great west. First in this series of glimpses behind the scenes comes a short but weighty epistle from Mrs. Bradley Hurst to her liege lord. The italics are the fair writer’s. not ours: The day wore on. The thrilling as cent of the Alleghanies was breasted and the summit crossed ere nightfall. Then came the long descent to the Ohio valley. and while the party was at breakfast the next morning the train rolled into Indianapolis. While the en- gines were being changed every one alighted for a stroll. Draper and Miss Granniss led the way. then followed Chester and Madge. so that Filley was left to swear under his yellow beard and be amiable to Mrs. Bradley Hurst. The astute woman of the world saw through his discomfiture and took an especial delight in detaining him at her side, so that he had no speech with Florence. and the situation was un- changed when once more the limited tool; up the route for St. Louis over the Vandalia. To this end he set out to make him- self entertaining and at times verged on being positively brilliant. All through the meal the most trifling inci- dents or remarks served to remind him of a story or a pat illustration, and he drew upon his varied store of checker- ed experience so that he well nigh mo- nopolized the conversation and flatter- ed himself that he was making a good impression upon Florence. She laugh- ed at his sallies of wit. appeared inter- ested in his highly colored adventures and joined in his banter. But if he could have heard her confidential com- ment to Madge when the two were alone he would not have felt so elated. “That man leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth.” she said. Wherein she but voiced Chester’s private opinion. which was that Reuben “did not ring true.” a better position to sue for her hand and her fox-tune. Now, as a matter of fact. it was as much as Filley's reputation and safety were worth to be out of New York at this juncture. He had entered on a career of duplicity culminating in actu- al crime. Unless he could be back in the metropolis considerably within the ten days named as the limit of the trip he would be ruined and disgraced. He must return and would, and he counted on being able to concoct some pretext, fair or foul, for leaving the party. Meanwhile there was ‘some intermit- tent compensation to be gained from the fact that he would be able to see just how far matters had progressed between his patron and Miss Granniss. for Reuben Filley cherished designs on the heiress. and if he “pulled off” his present dangerous coup he would be in That a high bred, high strung and high minded maiden like Florence John Draper was bound for Denver to attend an important meeting of the wresidents of some of the greatest trunk line railroads in the country; hence the presence of his secretary and of his confidential man was a necessi- ty. Yet Filley had begged hard to be left behind in New York on the flimsy plea of ill health and overwork. But his employer overruled all his objec- tions, as we have seen, saying-that the trip would do him good. About six months before this story opens What Filley vulgarly called a “snap” presented itself. A. Quarter 1n- terest in a stockbrokerage house was going begging, being ofiered for sale very cheaply. Yet the sum required was greatly beyond his means. but be resolved to “make a bluff” and capture the prize. Falsely representing to the members of the firm in question that Although in receipt of a. handsome stipend from John Draper. he was not content. His was one or those devious and deceitful nature‘that prefer a crooked road and a subterfuge to a di- rect path and complete candor. He was a gambler from choice. not from necessity, and scrupled not to avail himself of the “inside” information which it was so easy for one in his po- sition to obtain and to use surreptiâ€" tiously. But he longed for a larger sphere where he could handle and gamble with millions instead of with thousands. “It u my intention, if possible. to make Iwr my wife.” messages nor the replies they elicited. He was playing a deeply dangerous game. Detection meant ruin. disgrace and possibly condign punishment at the hands of the law. 01 murse there's a fly in the ointment. and Reuben K. Filley is its name. I think I am pret- ty tolerant toward other men. but I distrust and detest that fellow. and I dare say he returns my dislike with interest. Nevertheless, we shall dimtless finish the trip without riot or blood- shed. Unless I am mistaken. he evinves a marked penchant for Miss Uranniss. Uncle John'; ward, whom you have motâ€"and for her moneyâ€"hut he might as well make love to the statue of Liberty. She simply look: over him. Al cotrustee with me of Miss Florence Cranniss I be): to inform you that it is my intention. if possible. to make her my wife. she is of age and hence free to act for herself. but l consider it only right that you should be advised of my pur- pose. 1 don’t imagine that you will advance any objections 1 am old enough to know my own mind and am certainly as able to “support her in the style to which she has been accustomed" as the most jealous parent could wish. I need scarcely assure you that her private fortune will be most rigidly secured to her. When next 1 write, 1 hope to be able to ask you for your con- gratulations. Cordially yours. Jonx Duran. EDWARD GATES. Reuben Filley kept the wires hum- ming on his own account, but as his purposes and plottings will now appear it is not necessary to cite his various III.â€"Chester Ives to Frank Carpen~ ter. managing editor or The Daily Scarifier, New York: My Dear Old Boyâ€"Here 1 am in Indianapolis. the second day out from New York, enjoying to the utmost the first real vacation I have had in ten years. thanks to Uncle John Draper. whose guest I am. We are reveling in the midst of a luxury that is simply sybaritic. If it were not for the motion, you would imagine yourself in some magical palace. You clap your hands. and, lo, a black slave appears and spreads a banquet to which the ends of the earth have contributed their fatness. You press a button. and unlimited cigars and cooling drinks are at your elbow. If you want a magazine or today‘s paper. you have only to ask for it. A bath and a shave may be had for the wishing. All this while we are anni- hiiating space at the rate of 40 or 50 miles an hour. Truly we Americans are the greatest rail- road travelers in the world, and we have Certainly surrounded ourselves with “all the comforts of home" while rushing over the rails. The quarters are somewhat cramped. but as Draper’s private secretary and l have the better part of an ordi- nary sleeper to ourselves, we can’t complain. lxnumpous. May 12. 1890. My Dear Gatesâ€"This communication. which wilt come to you bearing the Indianapolis peatmark. treats of a mhjr-m very dear to me. though it necessarily partake: of the nature of 1 business letter. 1 hope Dennis is gating along all right. with my work. Write or wire m9 at Denver it any- thing turns up. Faithxuxly yours. V.â€"Telegram from Edward GatPS. New York. to John Draper. St. Louis, in answer to foregoing: Go in and win. and God bless you both. But there’s no fun in watching other people make love, and C. I. says he agrees with me. Do you know, Fan. I begin to believe the foolish fel- low really cares for me a little bit, but what mamma will say if she ever suspects I dread to think. Pity he’s so poorâ€"no, I don’t mean that- but I'm sorry he’n not rich. though I’m mre he’s got brains enough {or both of us, and I know Uncle John thinks he’ll be somebody some day. I shall look for a letter from you in Denver, dear. so don't fail. Yours, always lovingly, If we don’t have a wedding before we get home, it won't be wmcbodu’s fault. I told mamma that it looked as though Uncle John had arranged this" trip so that hé'could have darling Florence all to himself, and then 1 was in disgrace for the rest of the day. He plays the beau Chevalier to perfection, and one would never think he was as old or older than papa. He seems to anticipate her every wish. What she thinks. I'm sure. I don’t lmow. When I tease her, she smiles that superior smile of hers and changcs‘the subject. Cnnsrnn IVES. IV.â€"â€"John Draper to Edward Gates. Esq. of Proddcr, Gates Prodder. New York: Ixmmnoms. Wednesday. My Dearest Fanâ€"Our journey has been just one dEfighttul picnic ever since we left New York yesterday morning. I am writing this very hur- riedly at the cutest little escritoire you ever saw in one comer of Uncle John’s private car, and i! you do not recognize the handwriting you must blame the jiggling of the train, not me, 'pctitc. served-that it is imposxwle to discover whether her heart is touched. I am resolved that John shall have every chance. ': would be such a re- lief to know that the wu happily married and in good hands. A motherleu girl in such a respon- sibility. How odd it will seem for us to be sis- ters-in-law and I old enough to be her mother! Stranger thing: have happened! of the two men side 33‘ Iide. Girls are so queer nowadays; and she is so eel! contained and re- We expect to be in Denver the day after to. marrow, and I will write again upon our arrival. All of the party are well, and Madge sends her love with mine. Ever your: aflectionately, [Ixâ€"Miss Madge Hurst to Miss Fan- nie Hyde. 7493 Madison avenue. New York: (Personal and confidential.) “I heard every word you said. my' Gears,” averred the good lady. at which. announcement Chester muttered. “Good. Lord, I hope not!” in mock horror just. loud enough for Madge to hear. which sent that young lady into convulsions. of suppressed laur'hmr. Advancing into the car. Filley tool: up a magazine and flung himself into a chair. No one spoke to him. yet both couples widened the distance between them. In the slight bustle and move- ment thus occasioned Mrs. Hurst: awoke and in that semisurprised and: half injured tone which all good peo- ple affect when they are caught dozing: in public aflirmed that she had not; slept a Wink. aâ€"Wnlwflééfii Ring willbe sent Eon by return mail. Preml apply 00.. Box Toronto” “Perhaps I will tell you some day. if I may- not now.” was the deep word answe‘. for at that moment Reuben K. made his appearance. “I am just in time." thought the ma; plot. “Another moment and the old fool would have been down on his. knees to her.” “You have always been good to me." she said simply. “How can 1 ever re- pay the debt?" “How can I ever sufficiently thank you?” "I ask for no thanks.” was the frank reply. “It has been a pleasure for me to work and plan for you while I have watched you bud and blossom from infancy to childhood and from girlhood to womanhood.” speed]. He was only telling her some of line adventures of days long gone by. when he and her fatherâ€"the father she had never seen-were boys and young men together. From this start- ing pouit he Went on to speak of their euriy struggles. when the foundations were laid of the great fortune Florence now possessed. Modest John never once alluded to the part borne by him- self in adding: to that fortune until now it needed seven figures to express it. But the girl divined all this. and when he ceased speaking she laid her hand cares-singly on the back of his as it rested on the arm of her chair and murmured: Mrs. Hurst. following the example of all good chnpvrous. was fast asleep on a divan. stmalzod to slumber by the l‘Ut'klllg and humming of the train. Belumi her com-h sat Chester and Madge. she making desperate pretense o; avownplisl‘lztz; some slight fancy work. but not making much progress owing to the fut-t that even the most skillful of needlvwomen cannot work with one hand. Chester Ives had pos- sessed himself of the other and at the moment when l-‘illey entered was mur- mur-lug some words that brought a twin color to Madge‘s cheeks and a softer glamour to her usually bright and dancing eyes. ‘z'nper and Florence were at the far- ther end. she reclining in the easiest chair to he found. and he at her side, conversing earnestly in a low tone. Her gi-aii-efully poiSed head. the ear- nest eyes looking full into his. the man- tling color in her cheeks and the half smile on her parted lips indicated that she was an interested listener. even as Dvsdemona hearkened to Othello of old. A nd yet all the world might have heard the burden of John Draper’s Wegx v've this beautiful solid Gold Ring. set with a. Rubv and two Pearls for sellipg only _15 S__wiss A nose Pins attéo ctsdeach.m'r are very re y an eas Write angwe forward Pins. themgpturn t_h_e money.a.nd Once over this stile. be told himself, he could snap his fingers a! 01m Dra- per and as a member of an 01 and hon- ored firm enter the lists with him for the hand and fortune of Miss Gran- mss. THIRD DAY. soun com-on'r. When Reubvn Fillpy entered the door of the Miranda after enjoying a soli- tary smoke in the "mnigraut car." as Madge Hurst dubbed the Pullman. be behold the following tableau: Judge then of his dismay when in- formed by John Draper that he was to accompany him to Denver! In one way the trip was fortuitous, as it would take his employer out of New York at a critical time. In six days the forged paper would mature and. even allow- ing for the usual three days of grace customary at that time. would be pre- sented for payment before the date set for his return. But there was also the general risk of something going wrong at such a ticklish time. Hence Filiey’s determination to quit the car party on the first plausible pretext so as to has- ten back to New York, take up his profits. redeem. destroy or renew the forged notes and thus protect his 1m. periled interests. No announcement of his partnership in the new firm was to he made, at Fil- ley's request. for six months. Every- thing was booming in the stock mar. ket, and by the end of the term he con- fidently hoped that his half yearly share of the profits would be enough or nearly enough to enable him to take up the notes when they fell due. Fail- ing this they would be presented to their indorser for payment. and the forgery would be discovered. or course it was imperative that he he on the spot to “keep the wires from sagging.” Sohn Draper was his "backer," he pur- chased the retiring partner’s‘ interest. paying $50,000 down, raising the mon- ey with notes for the amount at six months. drawn by himself and pur- porting to bear the indorsement of John Draper. With the name or the great financier on their backs these notes were regarded on “the street" as “gilt edged paper.” and Filley bad no trouble in getting them discounted. But the indorsements were skillfully forged, and Reuben K. Filley was the forger! Continued on page 9. GOLD