Mr. Sunderland Sledd to his neighbor, Mr. Duane
Kingsland, who was a director in a bank controlled by Mr. Hand.

The latter, as well as Schryhart, observed with satisfaction the effect
of Mr. Arneel's words on the company.

Mr. Arneel now again fished in his pocket laboriously, and drew forth a
second slip of paper which he spread out before him. "This is a time
when frankness must prevail," he went on, solemnly, "if anything is to
be done, and I am in hopes that we can do something. I have here a
memorandum of some of the loans which the local banks have made to Mr.
Cowperwood and which are still standing on their books. I want to know
if there are any further loans of which any of you happen to know and
which you are willing to mention at this time."

He looked solemnly around.

Immediately several loans were mentioned by Mr. Cotton and Mr. Osgood
which had not been heard of previously. The company was now very well
aware, in a general way, of what was coming.

"Well, gentlemen," continued Mr. Arneel, "I have, previous to this
meeting, consulted with a number of our leading men. They agree with
me that, since so many banks are in need of funds to carry this
situation, and since there is no particular obligation on anybody's
part to look after the interests of Mr. Cowperwood, it might be just as
well if these loans of his, which are outstanding, were called and the
money used to aid the banks and the men who have been behind Mr. Hull
and Mr. Stackpole. I have no personal feeling against Mr.
Cowperwood--that is, he has never done me any direct injury--but
naturally I cannot approve of the course he has seen fit to take in
this case. Now, if there isn't money available from some source to
enable you gentlemen to turn around, there will be a number of other
failures. Runs may be started on a half-dozen banks. Time is the
essence of a situation like this, and we haven't any time."

Mr. Arneel paused and looked around. A slight buzz of conversation
sprang up, mostly bitter and destructive criticism of Cowperwood.

"It would be only just if he could be made to pay for this," commented
Mr. Blackman to Mr. Sledd. "He has been allowed to play fast and loose
long enough. It is time some one called a halt on him."

"Well, it looks to me as though it would be done tonight," Mr. Sledd
returned.

Meanwhile Mr. Schryhart was again rising to his feet. "I think," he
was saying, "if there is no objection on any one