augh was hard as with a nervous movement she got
up, and walking behind it, laid her folded arms on the back of the big
leather chair. "Do you think I've been planning and working to this end
all these years to weaken at your first outcry? To watch you squirm is a
part of the reward I promised myself, Mr. Wentz."

He thrust out a supplicating hand:

"Give us time--just a little time--that's all I ask! We'll tide over
somehow if you'll--"

Kate interrupted bitterly:

"There's a familiar ring to that. My own words exactly, if you will
recollect--and you sneered in my face." She looked at him with narrowed
eyes and her voice was flint: "The time you'll get is the time it will
require for me to go before a notary and swear that your bank is
insolvent--twenty minutes--a half hour at most."

"For God's sake--" His face was chalky when he sprang out of his chair
as though to stop her forcibly when she laid her hand upon the gate.
"Isn't there some other way--some concession that we can make?"

Wentz did not breathe, in the tense moment that she seemed to hesitate.

"Yes," she flashed, "there is one way to save your bank; turn over to me
your and Neifkins' stock, which will give me the control."

Wentz stood mute.

She demanded imperiously:

"Yes or no?"

"You--you would retain me as president?" he asked, heavily.

Her answer came with the decisive snap of a rapid fire gun.

"Certainly not. You demonstrated your unfitness to occupy a position of
such responsibility when you allowed yourself to be influenced by a man
of Neifkins' stripe, to say nothing of the lack of knowledge of human
nature which you have shown in your dealings with me.

"The man who enabled me to block your game when you thought you had me
down and out--not through any particular kindness of heart or chivalry,
but because he had the gift of insight into character--the discernment
to recognize a safe loan--will take your place. Abram Pantin, if he
wants it, will be this bank's next president."

Wentz looked his amazement.

So that was the source from which her money had come! The bank's ancient
enemy had taken what any other man in Prouty would have considered an
extremely long chance. Wentz never had blamed himself, but this news
made him wince. Pantin--the fox--rather anyone else! A rebellious
expression came over the man's face. With Abram Pantin in his chair his
humiliation would be complete.

"I won't do it!" he blurted.

"Then you'