"No, not entirely. I have one card left;--I'll play it to-morrow, then
I'll know."

"Is there a chance of its winning?"

"Yes and no. As for the 'yes,' I've always had my father's luck. Minotts
don't go under and I don't believe I shall, we take risks and we win.
That's what brought me to Corklesville, and you see what I have made of
myself. Just at present I've got my foot in a bear trap, but I'll pull
out somehow. As for the 'no' part of it,--I ought to tell you that the
warehouse stock has been knocked endways by another corporation which
has a right of way that cuts ours and is going to steal our business.
I think it's a put-up job to bear our stock so they can scoop it and
consolidate; that's why I am holding on. I've flung in every dollar I
can rake and scrape for margin and my stocking's about turned inside
out. I got a tip last week that I thought would land us all on our feet,
but it worked the other way." Something connected with the tip must have
stirred him for his face clouded as he rose to his feet, exclaiming:
"Have a drop, Jack?--that last one braced me up."

Again Jack shook his head, and again Garry settled himself back in his
chair.

"I am powerless, Garry," said Jack. "If I had the money you should have
it. I have nothing but my salary and I have drawn only a little of that
lately, so as to help out in starting the new work. I thought I had
something in an ore bank my father left me, but it is valueless, I find.
I suppose I could put some life in it if I would work it along the lines
Uncle Arthur wants me to, but I can't and won't do that. Somehow, Garry,
this stock business follows me everywhere. It drove me out of Uncle
Arthur's office and house, although I never regretted that,--and now
it hits you. I couldn't do anything to help Charlie Gilbert then and I
can't do anything to help you now, unless you can think of some way. Is
there any one that I can see except Uncle Arthur,--anybody I can talk
to?"

Garry shook his head.

"I've done that, Jack. I've followed every lead, borrowed every dollar
I could,--been turned down half a dozen times, but I kept on. Got it in
the neck twice to-day from some fellows I thought would help push."

Jack started forward, a light breaking over his face.

"I have it, Garry! Suppose that I go to Mr. Morris. I can talk to him,
maybe, in a way you would not like to."

Garry lifted his head and sat erect.

"No, by God!--you'll do nothing of the kind!" he cr