“Here it is,” she said. “Now read me the telegram and I will write the translation. Hurry!” I read again: “'Galileo'--” “That means 'Consolidated Pacific'. Go on.” It took us five minutes to translate the telegram. When we had finished the result was: “Consolidated Pacific crowd wise situation. Strong buying close market to-day. Expect worse to-morrow. We are bad shape. Can deliver only part. Sure big advance opening and more follow. What shall I do? Why do not you answer private telegraph line? Telephone out order. Wire instructions immediately. Better still come yourself. Davis.” “Is that all?” asked Miss Colton. “What answer shall we make?” “Wait. Wait, please, until I dig some sort of sense out of all this. 'Wise situation'--” “Wise TO situation, I presume that means. The Consolidated Pacific is wise to the situation. 'Wise' is slang, isn't it? It used to be at college.” “It is yet, even in Denboro. Humph! let me think. 'Sure big advance opening.' I suppose that means the market will open with Louisville and Transcontinental at a higher figure and that the price is sure to advance during the day.” “Yes. Yes, it must mean that. But why should Mr. Davis be so excited about it? He said something about 'ruin' over the 'phone. What does 'We are bad shape' mean? And 'Can deliver only part'?” “I don't know . . . unless . . . Humph! If we had some particulars. Why don't you answer on the private telegraph, as he says?” “Because I can't. Don't you see? I can't. There is no telegraph operator in the house. When we first came Father had a secretary, who could use the telegraph; but he sent him back to New York. Said he was sick of the sight of him. They did not get on well together.” “But your father must have used the telegraph since.” “Yes. Father used it himself. He was a telegraph operator when he was a young man. Oh, you don't know what a wonderful man my father is! His story is like something in a book. He--But never mind that. Hark! there is the instrument going again. It must be dreadfully important. Mr. Davis is so worried.” “He seems to be, certainly.” “But what shall we do?” “I wish I knew, but I don't. You know nothing of the particulars?” “No. Nothing more than I have told you. Oh, CAN'T you help me? I feel somehow as if Father had left me in charge of his affairs and as if I must not fail. Now, when he is helpless! when he is . . . Oh, can't YOU do something, Mr. Paine? I thought you might. You are a banker.” “A poor imitation only, I am afraid. Let me think. Did you tell this man Davis of your father's illness?” “No. I thought perhaps Father would not wish it. And I had no opportunity . . . Oh, dear! there is someone at the door again! Who is it?” Johnson's voice replied. “It is me, Miss Mabel,” he said. “The telegraph person says he can't wait any longer. He 'asn't 'ad his supper. And there is a twenty-five-cent charge for bringing the message, Miss.”