ugh set lips: "Just about
half-way. We're over the worst of it though. The nearer we get to shore
the better time we'll make. We're sure going to need it too."

Gregory nodded absent-mindedly. His mind was filled with the problem of
what he was going to do if he did arrive at Legonia on time. Dickie had
made a wonderful run thus far, had handled the _Richard_ masterfully
against wind and wave, had more than done her part. Soon her work would
be done. Then his would begin. And what was he going to do?

The sum to be raised would have once seemed trifling. What would twelve
hundred dollars have amounted to three months ago? Now, it looked like a
million. There was no chance of raising it to-day. He must secure a
bond.

Rock had played his hand well. The bank president had hit in some way
upon a plan of injuring him while he was away. And Rock could injure
him. A tie-up at such a time would rob him of all he had gained by
beating Mascola at El Diablo. The fishing fleet were loaded to the
gunwales with albacore. The fish must be worked up at once. A loss of
even twenty-four hours would render them worthless.

Gregory reflected bitterly that he had other creditors. Had Rock
obtained other due and unpaid accounts? Even if such were not the case,
the shutting down of his plant might be the signal for other wholesalers
to launch a similar attack upon his credit. He realized sharply that he
was accomplishing nothing. Merely thinking in circles. Hawkins had
suggested putting up a bond. The newspaperman was doubtless familiar
with the procedure. Perhaps it could be effected if they arrived early
enough to arrange the matter. He turned to his friend for enlightenment.

"How long would it take for me to get a bond?" he asked.

Hawkins' usually cheery countenance clouded, as he replied:

"Not long, if you could find a surety company agent in his office. But
the trouble is this is Saturday. I didn't think of it until you got that
wire from your attorney. It's a legal holiday for the courts and it's
hard to find anybody around you want." Hawkins' frown grew blacker as he
continued: "Then there's another thing. You've got to have the judge
approve the bond, granting you're lucky enough to get it. And looking
for a judge on Saturday afternoon is like looking for the proverbial
needle."

Hawkins placed a hand wearily over his eyes and lapsed into silence.

* * * * *

Jack McCoy was at his wit's en