"All right," rejoined Quincy, and shaking hands with the young man he crossed the passageway and went into the bank.
He presented his certified check, and the five hundred dollars in bills were passed to him, and he placed them in his inside coat pocket. He was turning to leave the bank when he met Deacon Mason just entering.
"Ah, Deacon," said he, "have you come to draw some money? I think I have just taken all the bank bills they have on hand."
"I hope not," said the Deacon, "I kinder promised some one that I'd be on hand about noon to-day with five hundred dollars that he wants to use on a business matter this afternoon."
Quincy took the Deacon by the arm and pulled him one side, out of hearing of any other person in the room.
"Say, Deacon Mason, I am going to ask you a question, which, of course, you can answer or not, as you see fit; but if this business matter turns out to be what I think it is, I may be able to save you considerable trouble."
"I don't think you would ask me any question that I ought not to answer," replied the Deacon, glancing up at Quincy with a sly look in his eye and a slight smile on his face.
"Well," continued Quincy, "are you going to let Strout have that money to pay down on account of the grocery store?"
"Why, yes," said the Deacon, "I guess you have hit it about right. Strout seemed to think that there warn't any doubt but what he could get the store, but as he said the town clerk was willing to endorse his note, I came over here last night just on purpose to find that out. I kinder thought I was perfectly safe in letting him have the money."