He walked across the room to the fireplace. He took out his handkerchief, and, seizing a corner between a thumb and forefinger, slowly shook it open, and then turned around.
"This note, sir! What does it mean?" cried the president, advancing upon him, waving the paper in his trembling hand.
"Have you read it?" demanded Fields, in a loud voice.
"Yes," said the president. He was astonished at Fields's manner. He cast a glance upon his fellow-directors.
"Then what is the use of asking me what I mean? It is as plain as I can make it."
"But it says—but it says," faltered the venerable gentleman, turning the paper to the light, "that you have only money enough to last until twelve o'clock. Your statement yesterday showed a balance to your credit of three hundred and fifty-two thousand dollars. That will last at least—"
"But I have not got three hundred and seventy-seven thousand dollars. I have only got twenty-seven thousand dollars!"
"But we counted three hundred and seventy-seven thousand dollars."
"When?"
"Yesterday."