"But what guarantee have we that you will not appropriate that also?"
"I give you my word," replied Fields, with a smile.
"And to what end do you advise us to keep the bank intact?"
"That we may have time to arrange terms."
"Terms—for what?"
"For a compromise."
"Ah-ha!"
Here was a patch of blue sky—a glimpse of the sun. Fields was not insensible to moderation, after all.
"What do you propose?" eagerly demanded three voices.
"I think you had first better insure yourselves against suspension," was the reply.