Was it possible that this immense sum of money was gone? Could it be true that they must report this terrible thing to the world?  Had they permitted themselves to become the lieutenants to a wily scoundrel?  Were they thus waiting silent and inactive while he was being borne away at the speed of the wind, out of their reach?

All at once Fields came in at the door.

He was met with a gladness that was only too perceptible.  Every gentleman emitted a sigh of relief, and half started, as if to take the delinquent by the hand.

Fields had expected this.  He was shrewd enough to act before the feeling had evaporated.

He advanced to the table.  The directors hastened like schoolboys to take their accustomed places.  They bent upon the teller’s face the most anxious looks.

“Gentlemen,” said he, “I believe that you fully understand that I return this large sum of money to you at my own option.  You recognize the fact that most men would endure, for instance, an imprisonment of ten years rather than lose the control of a quarter of a million of dollars.”

The directors hastened to signify “Yes!”

“But,” continued Fields, taking several large envelopes from his inner pockets, “I shall be content with less.  There is the sum I mentioned.”

The directors fell upon the packages and counted their contents.  The table was strewed with money.  Fields contemplated the scene with curiosity.  Presently it was announced that the sum was complete.

“Now, gentlemen,” said Fields, “you have suffered loss.  I have a hundred thousand dollars which I have forced you to present me with.  That is a large sum, though to us who are so familiar with millions it seems small, almost insignificant; but, in reality, it has a great importance.  You now see, my friends, what a part of your money-making mechanism may achieve.  There is no bank, even of third-rate importance, in this city, whose receiving teller or paying teller may not do exactly as I have done.  On any day, at any hour, they may load themselves with valuables and go away.  You, and all directors, depend servilely upon the pure honesty of your clerks.  You can erect no barrier, no guard, no defence, that will protect you from the results of decayed principle in them.  They are deeply involved in dangerous elements.  Ease, luxury, life-long immunity from toil, wait upon their resolution to do ill.  This resolution may be the determination of an instant, or the result of long-continued sophistical reasoning.  You cannot detect the approach to such a resolve in your servant, and he, perhaps, can hardly detect it in himself.  But one day it is complete:  he acts upon it.  You are bereft of your property; he flees, and there is the nine days’ stir, and all is over.  Your greatest surety lies in your appreciation of your danger.  I have proved to you what that danger consists of; you did not know before.  Your best means of defence is to respect,