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“I am an accountant employed by American States Bank”

Bell swung his feet off the bunk “You work for my father”

“Yes, sir,” Adler said proudly “Mr Bell specifically asked for me to take on this audit”

“What have you got?”

“We have uncovered the name of the secret owner of the Union Pier and Caisson Company of St Louis”

“Go on!”

“We should talk in private, Mr Bell”

“These are Van Dorn agents You can say your piece here”

Adler clutched his briefcase closer “I apologize to you gentlemen, and to you Mr Bell, but I am under strict orders from my boss, Mr Ebenezer Bell, president of the American States Bank, to speak to you and only you”

“Excuse us,” said Bell The detectives left “Who owns Union Pier?” he demanded

“A shell corporation established by a Berlin investment house”

“Schane and Simon”

“Yes, sir You are well informed”

“We’re getting there But ns the shell corporation?”

Adler lowered his voice to a whisper “It is wholly controlled by Senator Charles Kincaid”