"It’s some of Mr. Kendrick’s notes," he said. "They’ve just been presented. There’s four hundred and fifty thousand of them altogether--lacking a few hundreds, and all the money we’ve got is a little over one hundred thousand." "Where do these notes come from? Who presents them?" "They are made out to different persons; but they are presented by the El Dorado Bank." "Didn’t Mr. Kendrick make any provision to meet them?" "Maybe he did--I suppose so, for some of them are three weeks overdue. But he never said anything to me about them." "Let me see them." The bank’s messenger was brought in, and I scrutinized the notes he presented. They were on their face made payable to a dozen or more men--some to one, some to another--but all had been indorsed to Peter Bolton. There was no time to waste in lamentations, and there was but one resource in sight. I bade the messenger wait a minute, and hastened back to the syndicate’s office. "Here are three checks for you to sign," said Partridge. "The men are waiting for them in the anteroom." They were for but small amounts, and I hastily added my name to the slips. "I have something more important yet to lay before you," I said boldly. "I want three hundred and fifty thousand dollars." "What’s that?" cried Partridge. Nelson looked too shocked for words, and I repeated my request. "What do you want it for?" demanded Partridge. "Gentlemen," I replied, "I am sorry to say that we are face to face with the greatest danger we have yet met. Peter Bolton has made good his threat. He has struck quick and hard. He has presented for payment through the El Dorado Bank nearly four hundred and fifty thousand of Wharton Kendrick’s notes, and there is only one hundred thousand in the house to pay them with. I must ask you for the balance." Partridge drew a whistle of surprise, and Nelson turned pale. "The old fox!" cried Nelson. "We might have known he was up to mischief." "And he put them in through the El Dorado Bank," said Partridge reflectively. "I wonder if he is with the bank’s wrecking combination." "He is at the head of it," I said. Partridge drummed on the desk with nervous fingers, and his face took on a grim look. As neither of my associates spoke, I said: "Well, there can be no doubt of our duty to support Wharton Kendrick in this emergency." "Of course not," said Partridge. "What security can you offer?" "Haven’t the least idea," I replied curtly. "You’d better make us a general assignment," said Nelson. "I suppose that will cover it." "I couldn’t think of doing such a thing," I replied, restraining my indignation with an effort. "A note will have to do." "It’s a very irregular proposition," said Nelson. "Even the Sundown Bank has put up a pretense of collateral." "Well," I returned, "as a business proposition, wouldn’t you rather hold Wharton Kendrick’s note than the Sundown Bank’s collateral?"