are always glad, at the Furmville National, to do the reasonable and
accommodating thing. Yes; that will be thoroughly satisfactory.--Ahem!
I have a new note here. You might sign it? To keep things regular, in
order."

Withers signed the new note. It was for five days.

Illington got to his feet with stiff dignity.

"Glad to accommodate you, Mr. Withers; very glad. I wish you good
morning," he concluded, going toward the door.

"Good-bye," replied Withers absently, but looked up suddenly. "By the
way, I might like to know something about the disposition of that
thousand dollars. Could you tell me anything concerning it?"

Mr. Illington came back to his chair and reseated himself, again
producing the bulky envelope.

"I was prepared for just such a request, a perfectly natural request," he
answered Withers question, plainly approving of his own forehandedness.

He took from the envelope and passed to Withers a canceled check.

"This," he said, "gives you the information you desire. You see, I
gathered from the newspaper reports this morning and from the gossip of
the street yesterday afternoon that there might be more or less of--er--a
mystery in this--ah--distressing situation. Consequently, I brought along
this check which, curiously enough, had not been called for by the maker
of it."

Withers, disregarding the banker's remarks, was studying the check. It
had been signed by Enid Fulton Withers, to whom the $1,000 loan had
evidently been credited at the Furmville National. It was for $1,000, and
it was made payable to Maria Fulton. Maria Fulton had indorsed it, and,
below her endorsement, appeared that of Henry Morley, showing that the
money had passed directly into the hands of Morley.

"That's all I wanted to know," Withers said quietly, giving the check
back to Illington. "I'm much obliged."

This time Illington departed, taking himself off with a feeling of having
done his duty with promptitude and according to the best business ethics.

His visit had prevented Withers' meeting the train, and Fulton had gone
directly to Manniston Road.

Braceway, going to the hotel on the banker's heels, was admitted by
Withers, who broke into a storm of futile, highly coloured profanity.

"Brace," he said, "you'll get the devil who's caused all this, won't you?
You know what my life has been! You'll get him if you have to tear up
heaven and earth."

"Sure! Sure!" Braceway declared. "Keep yourself together. Let me