Page:The gold brick (1910).djvu/193

 "Don't take on that way. Let's see what can be done."

"Yes, let's," assented Grigsby.

The Egyptian knitted the brows over his long, narrow nose.

"Hev you got any money?" he asked.

"I!" exclaimed Grigsby, with a sardonic grunt.

"Any property?"

"Only my house up home."

"Hain't you any friends up there, any bankers that'll take care o' this thing fer you?"

Grigsby laughed ironically.

"Cain't you lay down on somebody fer it?"

Grigsby shook his head.

"How's your quo 'arranto proceedin's 'gainst the Chicago Consolidated?"

"It isn't ripe yet," said Grigsby, "and, anyhow, there isn't time. Damn it, man," he said, raising his voice, and striking his knee with his fist, "it's got to be done now, to-night, or I'm lost. The governor, under the law, must seal the treasury at once, and you know just how long John Chatham'll wait. We've got to take care of this thing to-night, to-night, I tell you. That's why I sent for you." The