第33章

"I'm coming to it," resumed Mr.Damon."Bless my check book, I'm coming to it! You see we have lost several good customers, by reason of Foger opening the new bank.That wouldn't have mattered so much, as between your father and myself, and one or two others, we have enough capital to carry on the business of the bank.But there is a more serious matter.We hold a number of very good securities, but they are of a classhard to realize cash for, on short notice.In other words they are not active bonds, though they are issued by reliable concerns.Then, too, the bank has lost considerable money by not doing as much business as it formerly did.In short we don't know just what to do, Tom, and your father and I were discussing it, when you came in.""Do you need more money?" asked Tom."I have some, that is my share from the submarine treasure, and some I have allowed to accumulate as royalties from my patents.It's about ten thousand dollars, and you're welcome to it.""Thank you, Tom," spoke his father."We may use your cash, but we'll need a great deal more than that.""But why?" asked the lad."I don't understand.If you have good bonds, can't you dispose of them, and get the money?""We could, Tom, yes, if we had time," replied Mr.Damon."But to throw the bonds on the market at short notice would mean that we would not get a good price for them.We would lose considerable.""But why do it in a hurry?"

"Because there is need of hurry," responded Mr.Swift.

"That's it," joined in Mr.Damon."We have to have cash in a hurry, Tom, to meet pressing demands, and we don't just see our way clear to get it.I am trying to raise it on some private securities I own, but I can't get an answer within several days.Meanwhile the bank may fail, because of lack of funds.Of course no one would lose anything, ultimately, as we could go into the hands of a receiver, and, eventually pay dollar for dollar.Your father and I, and some of the other directors, might lose a little, but the depositors would not.But your father and I don't like the idea of failing.It's something I've never done, and I'm too old to start in now, bless my cash ledger if I'm not!""And for the sake of my reputation in this community I don't want to see the bank close its doors," added Mr.Swift."It would give Foger too good a chance to crow over us.""And you need cash in a hurry," went on Tom."How much?" "Fifty thousand dollars at least," replied Mr.Damon.

"And if you don't get it?"

The eccentric man shrugged his shoulders.

"Well," remarked Mr.Swift musingly, "I don't see that we need worry you about it, Tom.Perhaps--"Mr.Swift was interrupted by a ring at the front door.The three looked at each other.It was late for a caller, and Mrs.Baggert had gone to bed.

"I'll answer it," volunteered Tom.He switched on the electric light in the hall, and opened the door.He was confronted by Mr.Pendergast, the president of the bank.

"Is your father in?" asked Mr.Pendergast, and he seemed to be much agitated.

"Yes, he is," replied the lad."Come this way, please.""I want to see him on important business," went on the president, as he followed the young inventor."I'm afraid I have bad news for him and Mr.Damon.Bad news, Tom, bad news," and the aged banker's voice trembled.Tom, with a chill of apprehension seeming to clutch his heart, threw open the library door.