"A twenty-story hotel."

"That runs into millions!" gasped Close, and reached out to touch a
button upon his desk; but Johnny Gamble stayed that hand.

"You're after my balance," he said. "It's twelve dollars and thirty-
seven cents."

"Well, you see, Mr. Gamble, under the circumstances--" hesitated Mr.
Close.

"I know," interrupted the applicant; "you can only say I'm good for
twelve-thirty-seven. I don't ask you to back me. If anybody 'phones
you, just say I'm a good boy."

Mr. Close almost smiled again.

"So far as the moral risk is concerned I shall have no hesitation in
speaking most highly of you," he granted.

"And don't laugh when you say it," Johnny admonished, smiling
cheerfully, for he knew that Close always did better than he
promised. "Tell them this, can't you?--I've banked with you for five
years. I've run about a ton of money through your shop. I've been
broke a dozen times and I never left a debt behind me. I've been
trusted and I always made good. I guess you could say all that if
you stopped to take a couple of breaths, couldn't you?"

"I shall certainly say those things if I am asked about them,"
replied Mr. Close, considering them carefully, one by one." Don't