Partridge rapidly drew his pencil through several of the items of Peter Bolton’s statement. "Those will renew," he said. "You can get four hundred thousand from the banks on the securities you have in your hand. Three hundred thousand will be enough for us to let you have. It will see you through." "I don’t see how I am to get along without more than that," said Peter Bolton, with a slow shake of the head. "But I’ll do the best I can with it." He gave the outward evidences of dissatisfaction, but there was an undertone of triumph in his voice, inaudible to any ear but mine. I had listened thus far without an attempt to interrupt. I was curious to see what plea Peter Bolton would make in support of his audacious attempt to turn the syndicate’s money against the syndicate’s objects; and it had not occurred to me as possible that Partridge and Nelson would fail to penetrate his scheme. I forgot for the moment that my colleagues were not informed of the purposes of the arch-plotter, and it was therefore with something of a shock that I heard Partridge consent to put three hundred thousand dollars into Bolton’s hands, and saw Nelson dip his pen in ink to fill out the check. "I beg pardon," I said, stepping forward, "but I think it will be better to hold that money." At the sound of my voice Peter Bolton gave a violent start, and for a moment his face turned ashy gray, as he seized the arms of the chair to support himself. Then with an effort he recovered his self-possession, and gave me a nod that was meant to be ingratiating. "Well," said Partridge, "if you’d like to look over Mr. Bolton’s papers, here they are." I waved them away. "I don’t doubt your judgment on the securities. It is beyond question. I merely object to making the loan at all." Peter Bolton raised his hand, threw back his head with open mouth, and spoke in his most sarcastic drawl. "Some Young Men like to interfere with Other Men’s Business. But all that has been discussed. The matter is settled." I took up the signed checks that lay before Nelson and replied: "Oh, no; there are several points to be explained before we go further." "We haven’t time to run a debating club," said Nelson, a little huffed by my strategic move in securing the checks. "We have consented to the loan for excellent reasons. Mr. Bolton’s failure would be certain to start the panic we have been staving off for two days." "Very true. But Mr. Bolton is unduly anxious. He is in no more danger of failing than the Bank of California." Peter Bolton turned on me with suppressed anger glowing in his eyes, and drew down the corners of his mouth in a sarcastic snarl. "Maybe, young man, you know more about My Business than I know." "I shouldn’t put it that way," I retorted. "I should say that I know more about your business than you are ready to tell." Peter Bolton drew down the corners of his mouth again and turned to Partridge with the air of putting me aside.