son, who so far had not opened
his mouth. He could reach the game in time, anyhow.

"Just as I expected!" hissed Eggleston between his teeth: "'Must
decline the loan,' he says. 'Thank Mr. Colton for his frankness.
Stockton, President.' Thanks Mr. Colton, does he! If you want my
opinion I'll tell you that by your confounded backing and filling
you've thrown over the best operation we've had since this firm was
formed. Find the money somewhere else, Mr. Colton, that I've put in,
and I'll draw out. This morning's work convinces me that no sensible
man's interests are safe in your hands."

"That will be difficult, sir, when the condition of our firm is known,
as it must be. Furthermore, it would be impossible for me to ask it.
Since I've been here I've done my best to look after your interests.
Some of our ventures, I regret to say, have been unsuccessful. Instead
of releasing your capital I shall need some fifty thousand dollars
more to carry us through. The situation is upon us and I might as well
discuss it with you now."

"We don't owe a dollar we can't pay," blurted out Eggleston, picking
up his hat and cane.

"That is true to-day, but to-morrow it may not be. The refusal of this
loan by the Seaboard will send back to us every copper stock we have
borrowed money on. They are good, better than Portage, but the banks
won't believe it. I want this additional money to tide this over."

"You won't get a dollar!"

"Then I'll notify the Exchange of our suspension at once. If we stop
now we can carry out your statement and pay every dollar we owe. If we
keep on with the market as it is we may not pay fifty cents. Which
will you do?"

"Not a dime, sir! Not a cent! Do you hear me--not one cent! You two
fools can work it out to suit yourselves. I'm through with you both!"
and he slammed the door behind him.

* * * * *

The boys were already crying the news of the downfall of his house
when, late that afternoon, Philip pushed aside the velvet curtain and
stepped into Adam's studio. He had bought an extra on his way uptown
and held it in his hand. "Failure in Wall Street! Philip Colton & Co.
suspend!" the headlines read.

"It's all over, Gregg," he said, dropping into a chair, without even
offering the painter his hand.

"And he refused to help!" exclaimed Adam.

"Yes, not a cent! There was nothing else to do. We can pay every
dollar we owe, but it leaves me stranded. Madeleine is the