Experiences with Detectives

[M. Laing Meason]

CHAPTER I.—THE LOSS.

NOT long ago a foreign firm in London asked me to assist them in recovering some bonds, the loss of which would have embarrassed them very much. The circumstances under which these documents had been taken from them were very peculiar, so much so that they could hardly move in the affair themselves without injuring the credit of their house. The son of the senior partner, a young man about 25 years of age, was employed by the firm, and acted as a sort of confidential clerk or secretary to his father. The junior partner was often obliged to be on the Continent for several weeks together; and as the senior had very delicate health, and often absented himself from the office for a day or two on that account, he had given, with the full consent of his partner, his son power to sign for the firm “by procuration,” as it is called. The son had, as was only found out when too late, been gradually falling into bad habits, and unknown to his father, used to bet upon races, and otherwise do much that he had been far wiser to have left alone. Latterly his creditors had been pressing him very hard. He had some overdue acceptances, which the holder threatened to tell his father of if they were not taken up. He also owed… Read More