I described the extent of his injuries as well as I could, and Coleman's eyes took on a troubled look.
"I wanted to consult him about affairs. A number of our leading men have been here this evening, and General McComb has agreed to issue a call for a citizens' meeting at the Chamber of Commerce to-morrow afternoon. We must devise some way to assist the authorities, and I looked to Kendrick to take a leading part."
"It will be some days before he can be out. But he is very anxious about the state of business. He is afraid there will be a smash in the markets to-morrow."
William T. Coleman smiled, and the calm sense of power that shone in his eyes gave me renewed courage.
"Kendrick was always one of the men who think that nothing will be done if they don't attend to it themselves," he said with good-natured raillery.
"Well, it's usually true, isn't it? Most things don't get done."
"A very just observation, Mr. Hampden. Most things don't get done. The man who has the brains and will to accomplish things is the invaluable man. It's our main trouble in every branch of the world's work--to find the man with ideas and the force to carry them out. But we must show Kendrick that he isn't indispensable in this crisis. Did he explain to you the state of affairs?"
"No. He could only refer me to you for details. He gave me the authorization to represent him in the syndicate, and in his business generally. It was all he was able to do."
"Well, the syndicate brought together a capital of ten million--I suppose you know that."
"Yes, but I believe it was heavily drawn on in the raid of last month."