"If you got me here just to be nasty--" "By no means. Nevertheless, it gratifies my vanity to remind you that you considered me a braggart, a bluffer, whereas--" "I haven't changed my opinion." "So be it. One matter, only, remains between us. I am about to ring up on the last act of our little comedy." "Theatrical, as always, aren't you?" Nelson's lip curled. For a moment Gray stared at the speaker curiously; his tone had altered when he said: "You're a better poker player than I thought. You're almost as good a bluffer as I am. That, by the way, is probably the last compliment I shall pay you." "Come! I've no time to waste." "You will soon have ample time--if not to waste, at least to meditate--" "What do you mean by that?" The query came sharply. "I've had an examination of the bank's books. That, as you will readily understand, explains why I sent for you." "Why--no. I don't--" "I wondered how you and your father got the money to keep going so long, for I discovered you were in a bad way even before I turned up. It is no longer a mystery. When you and he, as directors of the Security National, lent yourselves money, as individuals, you must have realized that you were--well, arranging ample leisure for yourselves in which to meditate upon the stringency of the banking laws--" "Nonsense! That's n-nothing--nothing serious." Nelson's ruddy color had slowly vanished; with uncertain hand he reached for the nearest chair, and upon it he leaned as he continued, jerkily: "Irregular, perhaps--I'll admit it was irregular, but--there's nothing _wrong_--Oh, you'll make it look as bad as possible, I dare say! But you don't understand the circumstances. Anyhow, father is getting it straightened out; all he needs is time. We'll be able to handle it, all right. We're good, you know, perfectly good--" "You're broke! Everybody else knows it, if you don't. '_Irregular_'! Ha! There's a choice of words!" The speaker laughed silently. "It is an 'irregularity' that carries with it free board and lodging at the state's expense." An incoherent protest issued from Nelson's throat. When next he managed to make himself audible, his words were such as really to amaze his hearer. "_I_ didn't do it," he cried, in a panic-stricken voice. "It was father's idea! You had us crowded--there was no other way. I warned him--" "Wait a minute! You blame it on _him_?" Gray's inquiry was harsh, incredulous. After a momentary pause his lips moved, but for once he stammered, his ready tongue refused its duty. He exploded, finally, with an oath; he jerked open a drawer in his desk. From his pocket he removed his revolver, flung it inside, then jammed the drawer back into place with a crash. "You--_rat_!" he exclaimed. He turned his back upon Henry Nelson and made a circuit of the little room. "It's a thing you and I can easily fix up," the latter feebly insisted. "Now that personal matter of yours--Perhaps I could help you reopen it somehow, clear it up."