Making Haste to Be Rich! CHAPTER 12.
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From fictitious names, the transition to real ones was easy. Riddell found that in raising the immense sums he constantly needed, he had to use too large a quantity of his manufactured paper; and that well known names in money circles must come in more freely, or suspicion of the real truth might be awakened.
The rejection, at one of the banks, of about ten thousand dollars of bills, upon which his was the only name known, made the resort to some new expedient absolutely necessary. This expedient was the adding of real names as endorsers to the fictitious notes.
In all his schemes of money-making and money-raising, Riddell had never once asked for the loan of money or an endorsement from his father-in-law, Mr. Ackland. The first advance of thirty-five thousand dollars had never been returned. Very soon after the marriage of his daughter, Mr Ackland was led, from what he saw of Riddell, to doubt hisprudence as a man of business, and to remonstrate with him against entering into certain transactions, which were, in his mind, far too hazardous. Some feeling on both sides was created in consequence, and Riddell secretly resolved that he would never trouble Mr. Ackland for aid, nor ask his advice in any matter. And he kept his resolution. The father-in-law, however, attentively observed his movements, and his eyes, gifted with more penetration than most of those around him, enabled him to see that all was not so substantial as appearances indicated. But he ventured upon no advice nor caution, for he had seen enough of the young man's character to satisfy him that it would do no good.
The relation between Riddell and Mr. Ackland being considered, it is a little remarkable that the first signature chosen by the former to give credit to his notes, was that of his father-in-law, which, after many trials, he succeeded in imitating so accurately, that few could have distinguished it from a genuine endorsement.
It was but natural to suppose that Mr. Ackland would endorse the paper of his son-in-law, and when the notes bearing his endorsement were presented for discount, the drawers' names were scarcely noted. They were always passed.
But it so happened, that within a few weeks of the time when this bold step was taken, that a note of fifteen thousand dollars, thus endorsed, was passed off upon a private money-lender, who, soon after having a large sum of money to raise, passed it into a bank for discount where Mr. Ackland was director.
"You will hardly object to that," remarked the Director who sat next to Mr. Ackland at the long green table, as he passed him the note upon which his endorsement was forged.
"Don't be too certain," was the smiling reply, as he took the note, looked at the face, and then turned up the back. The moment he saw his own name and that of his son-in-law, his countenance changed so suddenly that every member of the Board was struck with the fact.
"I suppose I ought not," he said, rallying himself, and passing the note along with a powerful effort. But his voice had in it something that awakened suspicion. Before the note reached the last man at the table, it was quietly turned down and thrown out. But no word of comment accompanied the act. By a strong effort of self-control, Mr. Ackland was enabled to keep his place at the Board, and take his part in the transaction of business. But the moment he was beyond the observation of those in whom his manner had too evidently aroused a suspicion of the truth, he felt so weak that he deemed it prudent to step into a carriage and order himself driven home. On arriving at his house, he was so prostrated that he could hardly stand, and went tottering up to his chamber. By pretending sickness, he deceived his family in regard to the true cause of his sudden loss of physical strength. A little rest and quiet, he said, would soon make him feel better; and his wife, at his particular desire, after bringing him a glass of wine, left him alone, to think.
It was a long time before the disturbed elements of Mr. Ackland's mind were enough composed to enable him to think clearly, or at all to the purpose. A full hour elapsed, before he came to the conclusion to send for his son-in-law, and charge the fact of his guilt directly upon him, and represent the consequences likely to follow the rejection of the paper by the Board, the members of which must have inferred the true character of the paper, or they would never have thrown it out. He had arisen and prepared a note, and was about ringing for a servant, when his wife entered with the intelligence that three gentlemen were below and wished to see him. His heart misgave him as to their errand.
"Tell them that I am too unwell to be seen today," he said.
But this did not satisfy the visitors. They said their business was urgent, and sent up their names. They were men with whom he had parted but an hour before.
"Say that I cannot be seen today," Mr. Ackland returned for answer, and the deputation from the Directors of the Bank, for such the men were, had to depart without the interview they had come to hold.
Immediately after their departure, the note for Riddell was dispatched. It was of a tenor to startle him with vague fears, and cause him to obey the summons immediately. When he entered the room where his father-in-law awaited him, the appearance of that individual in no way tended to quiet the uneasiness he felt. He was pale, and walking the floor in an agitated manner.
"What has happened, Mr. Ackland?" said the young man anxiously. "Why are you so much disturbed?"
Mr. Ackland fixed his eyes upon Riddell, steadily, and looked at him, until the gaze of the latter fell to the floor.
"You needn't ask that, Franklin!" he replied, in a stern voice. "Look at your own wrong-doings — and you have the answer."
"My wrong-doings, sir?" The young man affected surprise and indignation, even while a tremor was passing through his frame.
"Disguise is useless. You are guilty of crime, and that crime is — forgery!"
At those words, Riddell became instantly as pale as death, and sank into a chair with a moan of irrepressible anguish.
"Gracious Heaven! And the husband of my child!" ejaculated Mr. Ackland. "Poor Blanche! How will your pure, true, loving bosom be torn asunder! Wretched man! Was there not love enough in your heart for her who has lain in your bosom, to save you?"
Riddell, with his hands over his face, had remained where he had sunk down powerless. He felt not only convicted, but condemned. The charge was unequivocal, and covered, in his mind, on first being made, the entire ground of his delinquency. A long silence followed, during which Mr. Ackland paced the floor with a heavy tread, and Riddell had time to recover himself and begin to think. Was Mr. Ackland acquainted with only a single instance of his wrong — or did he know all? That was a question of the utmost importance to know. And what was of still greater consequence — was this knowledge confined to the bosom of Mr. Ackland, or was the blasting secret of his guilt known to others? He feared to speak, lest he should betray more than was known, and this kept him for a longer time silent. At last, without venturing to look up, he said —
"Mr. Ackland, with pain I have to own, that, driven to the verge of bankruptcy, I forged your name. But, it is but justice to myself to affirm, that it was with no intention of doing wrong to you or anyone. It was a temporary expedient."
"That may cost you the loss of liberty and a good name," said Mr. Ackland, with bitter emphasis.
Riddell started to his feet.
"Tell me, sir," he said, eagerly, his lips quivering, and his whole face expressive of alarm — "is your dreadful secret known to others?"
"It is known just this far," replied Mr. Ackland, speaking with forced calmness; "a note drawn by somebody in your favor, and upon which you had forged my endorsement, came before the board today for discount. I betrayed the fact of your crime by the pain and surprise my face must have exhibited when I saw that my name had been forged. Acting upon this, the note was rejected by the board without a word of comment. Since I have been home, three of the directors have called, evidently in regard to the note. I would not see them. But it is clear they more than suspect the truth. Franklin! Is this the only instance in which you have thus stepped aside?"
"I solemnly affirm that it is!" said the young man, unhesitatingly.
"If so, Riddell, exposure may be prevented. But if not — if there is more paper out upon which you have forged mine or any other name, your destruction is inevitable. Suspicionis excited, and the truth will come to light, and that speedily. You need look for no other result. And what then? You cannot hope to escape shame, disgrace, and the just judgment of the law!"
The knees of Riddell smote against each other; yet he continued, most solemnly, to affirm that he was guilty only in the single instance, where discovery had been made.
After a long conference as to what it would be best to do to allay suspicion, Riddell left his father-in-law, glad to get away, that he might think, undisturbed by his rebuking presence, and determine what course of action it was necessary to pursue. But the more he thought, the more imminent appeared the danger with which he was threatened. There were more than fifty bills out, upon any one of which, he could be found guilty of forgery. On the very next day, ten thousand dollars had to be lifted, the failure to do which would inevitably lead to his exposure, and the only way he could meet the payment was to forge new paper, the negotiation of which might be prevented by the whispered suspicions of the bank directors going like electricity through the business community.
"I am in great peril," said the unhappy man, as he sat musing in his private counting room. "After having toiled so hard — after having fought with so much bravery up to this position — is all to be lost? My wealth — my good name! All! all!"
A shudder went through him. Someone opened the door of the counting room at the moment. He turned and encountered the anxious face of Partridge.
"There is a strange rumor abroad, Riddell," said the intruder abruptly, "no less than that you have been making improper use of your father-in-law's name!"
Riddell forced a smile, and replied with as much indifference as he could assume —
"Yes, I have heard of that. But, I guess it won't do much harm. Mr. Ackland forgot that he had endorsed a certain note for me, and when, two months afterwards, it was sent to his bank for discount by the party to which I had passed it — he exhibited some surprise, and the sharp old chaps who preside over the affairs of the bank immediately supposed they had made a great discovery. He said nothing, and they said nothing; but as soon as the board adjourned, two or three of them put their heads together and tried to make out a case. But, I imagine, they know the truth by this time."
"But, it is said, a committee called at the house of Mr. Ackland to ask him the direct question whether he had or had not endorsed the note, and that he refused to see them, although they sent up their names."
"Is it possible! Preposterous! Can anyone believe this? Why, Mr. Ackland saw them, and told them that the endorsement was genuine."
"He did?"
"Certainly he did!"
"It's bad business though, Riddell, to make the best of it. I am afraid it will materially hurt your credit."
"I don't think so. People cannot be simple enough to believe so unlikely a story."
"People are always more ready to believe harm, than good of others."
"To some extent, I know they are. But the truth in this case is so apparent, that no one can help seeing it. It troubles me but little, I can assure you."
The face and tone of Riddell, as hard as he strove to disguise his real feelings, gave the lie to his words, and Partridge, with no little concern of mind, saw that it was so. He had called to see Riddell, under the faint hope that he could satisfy him that there was some mistake; but he saw that all was, indeed, too true, and that the downfall of his associate was near at hand — a downfall that must involve him to an almost ruinous extent, and disclose transactions which would, in all probability, bring down upon his head the bitter execrations of an injured community. He left the store of Riddell in no pleasant state of mind; but with the paralyzing fear settling about his heart, that there was no way of escape from the storm, which he saw sweeping up the horizon with dark and threatening aspect.
Alone again, Riddell once more sank into a deep and gloomy reverie.
"If a suspicion of the truth is thus flying from lip to lip," he at length murmured, half aloud, arousing himself, and actually wringing his hands as he spoke, "then all hope is lost. There is too much of this paper out. Before tomorrow noon, a dozen notes will be brought to Mr. Ackland and others, to know if the endorsements upon them are genuine; and before tomorrow night, I stall be under arrest, and most likely in prison."
Once more the victim of an inordinate love of gain shuddered, and to the very center of his being.
"Before tomorrow night?" he resumed, after a pause. "It may be before tonight! Even now, some minion of the law may be in search of me!"
And he started up quickly, with a look of fear upon his countenance. Opening his desk, he transferred to his pocket-book several packages of bank bills, and then hastily left the store.
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