"
"Thank you," said Mr. Muir, with some cordiality.
He went to his office and looked matters over carefully. He was
convinced that a crisis was approaching. More money was required
immediately, since the securities in which he had invested had
declined still further. He had not lost his faith in them at all,
knowing that they had a solid basis, and would be among the first to
rise in value with returning confidence. He had gone so far and held
on so long that it was a terrible thing to give up now. Comparatively
little money would probably carry him over to perfect safety, but his
means were tied up, the banks stringent, and he had already strained
his credit somewhat. Mr. Arnault's proffer occurred to him again, and
at last, much as he disliked the expedient, he called upon the broker,
who was affable, off-hand, and business-like.
"Yes, Mr. Muir," he said, "I can let you have thirty thousand just as
well as not; as the times are, I would like some security, however."
"Certainly, here are bonds marketable to-day, although depressed
unnaturally. You are aware that they will be among the first to
appreciate."
"In ordinary times one would think so."
"How soon do you think you may call in this loan?"
"Well, the probabilities are, that you may keep it as long as you
wish, at the rates named.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182