Jacques Futrelle

“ Mr. Smith interrupted. “Frankly, the saving of his reputation was not the first thing in my mind when I came to Paris; it was the saving of my own. I am leaving the bank within a few months to become cashier of another bank. It is a promotion, ma’am. If this matter comes out, not only is your father ruined, but I am ruined. I am ambitious, ma’am,” he apologized.
“I understand, Mr. Smith,” said the girl softly. “Suppose—suppose those missing bonds should be placed in your hands? Is it too late to save my father, to save yourself?” ”

“ It was then that I used to write letters to you, here in Paris.” He paused.
“Go on,” the girl urged.
“The bank’s business grew, ma’am, and finally there was need of an assistant paying teller. Mr. Clarke gave me the job, and I have held it ever since. Being assistant paying teller isn’t of any particular importance; but it carries responsibilities. That is, ma’am, I don’t mean that the fate of the world hangs upon a man in such a position; but in the course of a month he will handle, perhaps, millions and millions of other people’s money. ”

“ For instance, sometimes stocks and bonds are left with a bank as security for a loan, say. Those securities are in my care; I am responsible for them. They are sealed by the president of the bank in my presence, and my own seal is added in his presence before the securities are placed in the vault. It comes down to this, ma’am: there are two persons responsible for the safety of such securities, and either can call the other to an accounting in the event of any irregularity. ”