uddenly again, he seemed to hear his father's voice:

"The Devil is standing close behind you. You are at the parting of the
ways. A gentleman cannot hesitate."

"Mr. Creamer," he said suddenly, "why don't Norman Wentworth's friends
come to his rescue and help him out of his difficulties?"

The question might have come from the sky, it was so unexpected. It
evidently caught the others unprepared with an answer. They simply
smiled vaguely. Mr. Creamer said presently, rubbing his chin:

"Why, I don't suppose they know the extent of his difficulties."

"And I guess he has no collateral to offer?" said another.

"Collateral! No; everything he has is pledged."

"But I mean, why don't they lend him money without collateral, if
necessary, to tide him over his trouble? He is a man of probity. He has
lived here all his life. He must have many friends able to help him.
They know that if he had time to realize on his properties he would
probably pull through."

With one accord the other occupants of the room turned and looked at
Keith.

"Did you say you had made a fortune in mining deals?" asked one of the
gentlemen across the table, gazing at Keith through his gold-rimmed
glasses with a wintry little smile.

"No, I did not. Whatever was said on that subject Mr. Creamer said."

"Oh! That's so. He did. Well, you are the sort of a man we want about
here."

This remark was received with some amusement by the others; but Keith
passed it by, and turned to Mr. Creamer.

"Mr. Creamer, how much money will you give me on this draft? This is
mine. The other I wish to deposit here."

"Why, I don't know just what the exchange would be. What is the exchange
on this, Penwell?"

"Will you cash this draft for me?" asked Keith.

"Certainly."

"Well, will you do me a further favor? It might make very little
difference if I were to make a deposit in Norman's bank; but if you were
to make such a deposit there, it would probably reassure people, and the
run might be stopped. I have known of one or two instances."

Mr. Creamer agreed, and the result was a sort of reaction in Norman's
favor, in sentiment if not in action. It was arranged that Keith should
go and make a deposit, and that Mr. Creamer should send a man to make a
further one and offer Wentworth aid.

When Gordon Keith reached the block on which stood Norman's bank, the
street was already filled with a dense crowd, pushing, growling,
complaining, swearing, threatening