was the payment of some debts which were not rightly his and which
he might have evaded."

"Did he refer you to the Fourth National Bank?" inquired Gresham
quietly.

"No. Say, Gresham, what have you up your sleeve? Gamble paid me
fifteen thousand dollars this morning, as per agreement. I would
scarcely think he would risk that much money on a bluff."

"He paid you the fifteen thousand, then?" said Gresham with a smile.
"Mr. Courtney, one does not like to mix in these affairs; but you
and my father were friends and, though I regret to do so, I feel it
my duty to advise you to call up the Fourth National Bank."

"Thanks!" gratefully acknowledged Courtney, and hurried down to the
telephone booth. He came back in a few moments, and his manner was
distinctly cool. "I 'phoned to Mr. Close," he stated. "He tells me
that an attachment was laid against Mr. Gamble's account at his bank
yesterday for fifteen thousand dollars, and was returned to the
server marked 'no funds'; but that this morning the executor of Mr.
Gamble's interests in the Gamble-Collaton Irrigation Company
deposited fifteen thousand dollars for the specific purpose of
meeting this attachment. Mr. Close informs me that, though he could
not, of course, guarantee Mr. Gamble's solvency, he would take Mr.
Gamble's unsupported word on any proposition. I have known Joe Close
for years, and I never knew him to be so enthusiastic about any man
who possessed no negotiable securities. I thank you for your well-
intentioned interference in my behalf, Mr. Gresham, but I think I
shall cling to Mr. Gamble nevertheless."