it himself to show, "I insist upon a confidential
interview."

"You cannot have it. I do not regard myself as upon confidential terms
with you, nor do I think of you as a man with whom I desire to establish
confidential relations."

"Do you mean to insult me in my own--in a bank that I founded, and in
which I am still a large stockholder?"

"Perhaps you had better not press me to explain myself," answered Duncan
with a calmness that emphasized his determination. "I might feel it
necessary to mention some facts that otherwise there is no occasion for
Mr. Leftwich to know."

"Oh, very well. I ought not to have expected courtesy at your hands."

"I think I must agree with you in that," answered Duncan. "In view of
the circumstances--which, I may remind you, are of your own making--I
really think you ought not to have expected courtesy at my hands.
Suppose we get down to business instead. What have you to suggest by way
of arranging your affairs with the bank?"

"I don't know. I came here hoping and expecting that in view of all the
circumstances you might be willing to let this matter of my loans from
the bank rest between ourselves for a time."

Duncan was outwardly calm now, but inwardly he was in a towering rage,
for Tandy's presence reminded him bitterly of the way in which the
ex-banker had tried first to corrupt him and then to blast his
reputation with a lie; and Tandy's manner clearly enough indicated that
he had come to the bank in full expectation of warping him to his will
in another matter involving his duty and his honor.

"How do you mean to 'let it rest'?" he asked, carefully controlling his
voice.

"Oh, you understand, or you would if you knew anything of banking."

"I will trouble you to omit all discussion of my knowledge or my
ignorance. Your account with this bank is at present in a shape
forbidden by law. It must be adjusted at once. That is all that concerns
me in the case. Please confine yourself to that."

Tandy became placative and apologetic.

"You must really pardon me, Mr. Duncan. This thing has knocked me out a
good deal--it came upon me so suddenly and unexpectedly. I make my
apologies if I have said anything to offend. But is there nothing I can
do to fix the thing up--so that the bank can carry it for me till I can
turn around? You see these things are so customary in banks that it
never occurred to me that you would insist upon the strict letter of the
law."

"I have taken