of the clerks came from my brother's office this morning with a
note from the bank. It seems that Horace borrowed a large sum for some
business transaction, and put up as collateral certain bonds. He often
does that, as I have heard him mention here time and again to Mr.
Blossom, when they sat in consultation in the library.

"But now it appears, according to the note from the bank, that more
securities are needed. There has been a depreciation, or something--I
am not familiar with the terms. At any rate the bank sends word that it
wants more bonds. I was wondering what I had better do. Of course I have
securities in my own private box that I might send, but--"

"Why didn't Mr. Blossom attend to this?" asked Captain Poland, a bit
sharply, it would have seemed to a casual listener. "That was his place.
He knows all about Mr. Carwell's affairs."

"I asked the clerk from the office why Mr. Blossom--did you ever hear
such an absurd name as he has?--LeGrand Blossom--I asked the clerk why
the matter was not attended to," went on Miss Carwell, "and he said Mr.
Blossom must have forgotten it."

"Rather odd," commented the captain. "However, I'll look after it for
you. If necessary, I'll loan the bank enough additional securities as
collateral to cover the loan. Don't let it disturb you, Miss Carwell. It
is merely a small detail of business that often crops up. Securities in
these days so often fluctuate that banks are forced to call for more,
and different ones, to cover loans secured by them. I'll attend to the
matter for you."

"Thank you so much. And now I believe I may safely call Viola. She would
not forgive me if she knew you had been here and she had not seen you to
thank you for your care of her yesterday."

"Oh, that was nothing. I was very glad--"

Captain Poland was interrupted by a ring at the door.

"Perhaps that is a message from the doctors now," suggested Miss
Carwell.

"It is Dr. Lambert himself," announced the captain, looking from a
window that gave a view of the front porch. "Dr. Baird is with him. They
must have completed the autopsy. Shall I see them for you?"

"Please do. And please tell me at once that everything is all right, and
that we may proceed with the funeral arrangements," begged the sister of
the dead man.

"I will do so, Miss Carwell."

Captain Poland, anticipating the maid, went into the hall and himself
opened the door for the medical men.

"Oh! I'm glad you're here!" exclaim