an oath," answered Duncan, "to obey and enforce the strict
letter of the law in the administration of this bank's affairs--just as
you did when you were president here. _I_, at least, intend to respect
my oath."

"What do you require of me?"

"For one thing, that you shall put your account into a shape permitted
by law and warranted by prudence. In doing that, you shall have all the
help the bank can properly lend you."

"Tell me your exact terms," said Tandy, "and I will endeavor to comply
with them."

"You must comply with them, as they will be only such as it is my duty
to insist upon."

"What are they?"

"First of all, you must to-day deposit fifteen thousand dollars, in cash
or securities, to make good that bit of paper," said Duncan, holding up
the three-cornered fragment of a letter sheet, on which there was
written in Tandy's hand:

Good for $15,000--count this as cash. N. T., Pres't.

"I found that in our cash assets only this morning, Mr. Tandy. Until it
turned up I had cherished the belief that your irregularities were only
such as you say are customary with bank officers. I believe it is not
customary, however, for the president of a bank to abstract fifteen
thousand dollars of the bank's cash and substitute for it a mere pencil
scribbling on a scrap of paper, signed with initials."

Tandy sat gazing vacantly at Duncan, with livid lips and contorted
features. He had so long been accustomed to administer the bank's
affairs as suited his personal convenience that he had quite forgotten
this little transaction. Recovering himself, he said presently:

"That was an oversight on my part, Mr. Duncan. It was merely a matter of
temporary convenience. You see, one evening after hours, I happened
suddenly to need that amount in currency. I came here to the bank and
got it, putting the mem. into the cash box in its stead, as there were
none of the bank's officers or clerks here to take my check. Besides, I
hadn't my check-book with me. I fully intended to arrange the matter
before the bank opened the next morning, but somehow I forgot it. It was
only an oversight, I assure you."

"It was a felony," answered Duncan, in a tone as free from stress as if
he had merely said, "It is raining." Then he added:

"Will you make a deposit now to clear that matter up? After you do so we
can go on and adjust the other matters."

"Have mercy on me, Duncan! Give me a day or two to look about me! I've
been investin