Page:Melville Davisson Post--The Man of Last Resort.djvu/97

Rh The Honorable Ambercrombie Hergan settled back in his chair and grew thoughtful. “I aint closed the loan,” he said, after some little consideration, “and I would just as leave borrow it of you, boys. The fact is, I would a little rather borrow it of you. I am paying pretty stiff for the money, and I would rather pay my friends than the Yankees in the East.”

“Yes,” observed the unctuous mining magnate, although he had not intended to speak at all.

“But,” continued the Secretary of State, “I reckon you would n't like to put up as much as I need. I am going to crowd the bank this once.”

“Well, Billy,” drawled the proprietor of the Emporium, “I expect me and Martin can make it up for you. If we aint got enough, we can get some around and piece out. Least ways, we will try. About what sum might you need?”

“I reckon,” responded Hergan, “that I shall want about fifty thousand.”

The hands of Hiram Martin tightened over his stomach, and for a moment Crawley studied