He remembered the letter and took it out. Letters were not so frequent in his life that he could afford to disdain them. This was a business envelope, large, square, and made of thick, fine paper. "National New York Bank" was neatly embossed on the flap. It was addressed in long-hand, an untidy but powerful scrawl. "Some high-class ad," thought Jack. "Want to sell me bonds, I suppose." He chuckled with bitter humor. Inside he found this communication in the same hand: "Dear Mr. Norman: "Will you please call me up at my office to-morrow morning. I shall arrive there about nine-thirty. The number of my private phone is ---- Broad. You will not find it in the book. "Very truly yours, "Walter Delamare." Jack, being a true American youth, regarded this skeptically. "What kind of a con is he handing me?" he thought. "Who the deuce is Walter Delamare?" The name rang familiarly in his ears. He glanced at the note head again. Under the name of the bank was printed: "Office of the President." Of course! Walter Delamare, President of the National New York Bank. His name was in the papers every day. It wielded a magic influence in the nation. Jack still suspected a hoax of some kind, though the expensive note paper and the scrawly, characteristic hand were impressive. He examined the latter with fresh care. It was surely real handwriting, not process work. "Oh well, it's worth a nickel for a telephone call," he thought. "I have nothing to lose." He had nearly half an hour to kill before nine-thirty, and no twenty-five minutes ever passed more slowly. He walked down to Wall street and had a look at the outside of the National New York Bank, an imposing colonnade a whole block long. He circumnavigated it three times, and at nine thirty-one, precisely, went into a cigar store and called up the number that had been given him. After a due interval he heard a voice at the other end of the wire that certainly sounded like that of a man of mark--crisp, serene, potent; humorous and kindly, too. "Mr. Norman?" "Yes, sir." "This is Delamare. You are prompt. Can you come down to see me this morning?" "Yes, sir." "Can you come right away? Later I shall be very busy." "Yes, sir." "Good! Better taxi down. And by the way, it would be better if you sent in an assumed name. I will explain why when I see you. Call yourself--let me see--call yourself Mr. Robinson." "Yes, sir." "Very well. I shall be expecting you. Good-by."