“How much money must you have? What is the very smallest amount?” asked Frank.
The unfortunate boy blushed with shame.
“I need fully ten thousand dollars,” he said.
“You must hold a position of great trust?”
“I do. When my father died I was given a place in the bank of which he had been president for many years. I advanced rapidly, till now I am paying-teller.”
Merry had fancied the youth must be employed in a bank.
“And you have misappropriated funds?”
Collins’ face became crimson.
“That is a mild way of stating it,” he said huskily. “You are right. I have squandered the money trying to make more. It is gone, and I know I am on the very verge of ruin. I know discovery is certain within a day or two, at most. It is liable to come any time, and I feel that I am living over a deadly mine. It is terrible!”
The lad’s face had turned white as death as he thought of his peril, and Merry’s sympathy was again awakened to the fullest.