buying
Consolidated Mines I do not see what need he has for the money, the more
so since we can always give him an overdraft on the security of his
deposit. Suggest to him that he puts thirty thousand pounds with us and
leaves seven thousand pounds floating. By the way, your uncle is sending
his secretary here this afternoon to go into the question of his own
account."

Frank looked up.

"Cole," he said quickly, "is he coming here? By Jove!"

He stood by the manager's desk, and a look of amusement came into his
eyes.

"I want to ask Cole something," he said slowly. "What time do you expect
him?"

"About four o'clock."

"After the bank closes?"

The manager nodded.

"Uncle has a weird way of doing business," said Frank, after a pause. "I
suppose that means that I shall have to stay on?"

"It isn't necessary," said Mr. Brandon. "You see Mr. Cole is one of our
directors."

Frank checked an exclamation of surprise.

"How long has this been?" he asked.

"Since last Monday. I thought I told you. At any rate, if you have not
been told by your uncle, you had better pretend to know nothing about
it," said Brandon hastily.

"You may be sure I shall keep my counsel," said Frank, a little amused
by the other's anxiety. "You have been very good to me, Mr. Brandon, and
I appreciate your kindness."

"Mr. Cole is a nominee of your uncle, of course," Brandon went on, with
a little nod of acknowledgment for the other's thanks. "Your uncle makes
a point of never sitting on boards if he can help it, and has never
been represented except by his solicitor since he acquired so large an
interest in the bank. As a matter of fact, I think Mr. Cole is coming
here as much to examine the affairs of the branch as to look after your
uncle's account. Cole is a very first-class man of business, isn't he?"

Frank's answer was a grim smile.

"Excellent!" he said dryly. "He has the scientific mind grafted to a
singular business capacity."

"You don't like him?"

"I have no particular reason for not liking him," said the other.
"Possibly I am being constitutionally uncharitable. He is not the type
of man I greatly care for. He possesses all the virtues, according to
uncle, spends his days and nights almost slavishly working for his
employer. Oh, yes, I know what you are going to say; that is a very fine
quality in a young man, and honestly I agree with you, only it doesn't
seem natural. I don't suppose anybody works as hard as I