a taxi that had been standing across the street ever since the bank
had opened. As soon as Johnny entered the door the young man gave a
direction to the driver, and the taxi hurried away.

President Close was conservatively glad to see Johnny. He was a
crisp-faced man, with an extremely tight-cropped gray mustache; and
not a single crease in his countenance was flexible in the slightest
degree. He had an admiration amounting almost to affection for
Johnny--provided the promising young man did not want money.

"Good morning," he greeted his caller. "What can we do for you to-
day?" And in great haste he mentally reviewed the contents of credit
envelope G-237. That envelope, being devoted to Mr. Gamble,
contained a very clear record; so Mr. Close came as near to smiling
as those cast-iron creases would allow.

"Want to give the Fourth National as a reference," returned Johnny
cheerfully.

"I see," assented Mr. Close, immediately ceasing to smile; for now
approached the daily agony of life--the grudging of credit. "I see;
I see. Do you propose engaging in a new venture?"

"Just as often as I can find one," stated Johnny briskly.

Mr. Close looked at him with stern disapproval.

"That does not sound like a very stable frame of mind," he chided.
"What do you propose to do first?"