You've got scant time to eat and get on your
stage togs."

"This has been a pretty busy day in the bank, Harnden," explained Britt.
"Meet Mr. Starr, the bank examiner!"

"Oh, hullo, Starr!" cried Mr. Harnden, shoving out a friendly hand.
"Heard you were in town. I know Starr," he told Britt. "I know everybody
in the state worth knowing. I told you so."

Mr. Starr was not effusive; there was a hint of sarcasm in his inquiry
as to how the invention business was coming along.

"Fine and flourishing!" announced Harnden, radiantly. Then he blurted
some news which seemed to embarrass Britt very much; the news also
provoked intense interest in Vaniman and the daughter. "All I've ever
needed is backing, Starr. Now I've got it!" He clapped his hand on the
banker's shoulder. "Here's my backer--good as a certified check. Hey,
Tasper?"

"I'm--I'm always ready to help develop local talent," Britt admitted,
stammering, turning his back on the faces at the grille. "Starr, we'd
better get along toward the tavern. I've had some poor luck with Files
when he's off his schedule time!"

"The new combination of Harnden and Britt will make 'em sit up and take
notice," persisted the inventor. Forgetting Vona, desiring to impress a
skeptic from the outside world, he followed Starr and the banker.

Vaniman and the girl listened to the optimist's fervid declarations till
the slam of the outside door shut them off.

"That sounds like an interesting investment, Vona," was the cashier's
dry comment. "Mr. Britt seems to be swinging that watering pot of his
new generosity around in pretty reckless fashion. I wonder what he'll do
next!"

"Frank, I'm afraid!" She spoke in a whisper, staring hard at him. "No,
no! Not what you think! I am not afraid because he is buying my father.
If Mr. Britt thinks I can be included in that bargain he is wiser
in making his money than he is in spending it. But there's something
dreadful at work against us!" She had her hand on the page of an open
ledger.

"The books can be straightened," he insisted. "I can do it. I'll do it,
if I have to call in every depositor's pass book." He pointed to the
vault. He was keeping the doors open till his work was done. "As long as
the money is there, every cent of it, the final checking will show for
itself. And the money will be there! I'm answering for that much! I
propose to stay with it till that Barnes shows up."

"I remember now that you told me he would come by th