Under the management of the young inventor the mechanical part of it
worked without friction. Bob took charge of the office work, and soon
had one thousand machines placed among the large consumers of gas, at a
rental of from $5 to $10 a month each, producing an income of about
$75,000 a year. Out of that sum they paid the young inventor $7,500 a
year salary. One day Broker Tracey came in and begged Halsey & Company
to sell him an interest in the gas machine, offering $50,000 cash for
one-fourth interest in it.

"Not for $250,000," said Fred. "It is a gold mine, and we think we can
work it by ourselves."

Tracey left, and soon after his departure Mrs. Bryant came in,
accompanied by Eva Gaines. She asked to see Fred. He went to the ladies'
room, and was received with smiles by both ladies.

"Mr. Halsey," said the broker's wife, "I want to borrow $10,000 for
thirty days. I see a chance to make money, but have none to do it with.
Will you let me have it?"

"What security have you to offer?" he asked her.

"None; only my jewelry remains unmortgaged," and her eyes filled with
tears as she spoke.

"Do you want it for yourself or your husband?"

"For myself. He has lost every dollar he had."

"I am going to put that much into it, too," said Eva. "Let her have it
for my sake, Mr. Halsey."

"Will you indorse her note?"

"Yes."

"Very well; I'll let you have the money, Mrs. Bryant," and he made out
the note and they both signed it. He gave the broker's wife the money,
and they left the bank together.

CHAPTER XIV.--Fred Proposes to Callie.

When the two ladies were gone Fred muttered to himself:

"They made me do an unbusinesslike thing--because they are women. She
brought Eva along to make sure I would not refuse her. True, Eva
indorsed the note, but she is a minor, and so the indorsement is not
worth a cent. I don't believe she has a tip. There's nothing doing in
the Street now that I know anything about. I think it was for the
benefit of her husband, and no one else. Sorry I didn't ask what the tip
was since I have to take all the risks. Ah, here comes Callie!"

Callie came into the little private office unannounced.

"Mr. Bryant is in Bowles' power for $10,000, and a warrant is out for
him. Mrs. Bryant came to the bank to fix it up, and Eva Gaines was with
her. They could not do anything with Mr. Barron and I heard Eva whisper
to Mrs. Bryant: 'Let's go and see Fred Halsey.' I got away as quick as I
co