And he began to dig excitedly at his pocket, finally extricating an envelope which he handed to Merry.
“Your father asked me to give this to you. He said it would get to you quicker than if he mailed it.”
Merriwell nodded. With a word of apology to Mrs. McQuade, he tore open the envelope, half expecting to see an inclosure. None fell out. He ran his eye quickly over the letter, and his cheeks paled a trifle, then he refolded it, and put it in his pocket.
Five minutes later he stood on the veranda with Billy. Clancy was down in the drive explaining the hidden beauty of his car to Mrs. McQuade.
“What’s the trouble, Chip? Wouldn’t he let you have the coin?” asked Billy.
“I’m sorry, old man,” and Merriwell bit his lip. “He didn’t think it wise.”
CHAPTER VIII.
GETTING DOWN TO WORK.
Merriwell drew out the letter and sank into a chair. While Billy listened, he read over that portion of the letter referring to the request for a loan. Chip read as follows:
“I sympathize very deeply with both Billy and his mother, Frank, and I would be glad to have you read this to Billy, and assure him of my best regards and wishes. As to lending you the money, however, I do not think that this would be wise, for several reasons.