ere was left of that new Development
Company was the land over here by Skoonic Creek. He couldn't steal that
very well, although, when you think of the stealin' he did do, it's a
wonder he hadn't tried to carry it off by the wheelbarrow load.

"It isn't worth while my tellin' you all the hullabaloo that came after
the smash. It would take too long and I don't know the ins and outs of
it, anyway. But the way it stands now is this: The Eagle Fish Freezin'
Company is out of business. Their factory is run now by another concern
altogether. The Wellmouth Development Company is still alive--at least
it's supposed to be, but nobody but a doctor could tell it wasn't
dead. The Denboro Trust Company has the Eagle Company's twelve hundred
shares--I don't know how it got 'em; a long snarled-up tangle of loans,
and security for loans, and I don't know what--and the rest of us have
got ours. All that's back of those shares--all that the Development
Company owns--is that Skoonic Creek property and that is goin' to be
worth a lot some day--maybe. But I guess likely the some day will be a
long, long time after MY day. There, Mr. Bangs, that's the story of the
Wellmouth Development Company. And I presume likely you're wonderin' why
I tell it to you."

Galusha, who had been faithfully endeavoring to grasp the details of
his hostess' narrative, passed a hand in bewildered fashion across his
forehead. He murmured that the story was--ah--very interesting, very
interesting indeed--yes. Martha smiled faintly.

"I'm glad you think so," she said. "It is interestin' enough to some of
us here in Wellmouth, those of us who have our money tied up in it, but
I shouldn't think a stranger would find much in it to amuse him.
But, you see, Mr. Bangs, I didn't tell it to amuse you. I told it
because--because--well, because, I--I wondered if in any way you knew,
or could find out, how I could sell my two hundred and fifty shares.
You see, I--I've GOT to sell 'em. At least, I've got to get more money
somehow or--or give up this house. And I can't tell you what it would
mean to me to do that."

Galusha murmured something, something meant to be sympathetic. Miss
Phipps' evident distress and mental agitation moved him extraordinarily.
He wanted to say many things, reassuring things, but he could not at the
moment think of any. The best he could do was to stammer a hope that she
would not be obliged to sell the house.

She shook her head. "I'm afraid I sha