"Mr. Kendrick is in a stupor, and the doctor would not permit him to be seen, even if he could be roused," I replied.
"This is very awkward," said Nelson, drumming on the table with his fingers.
"Not at all," said Coleman, in calm and tactful voice. "Mr. Hampden has the money that was intrusted to Kendrick. He has Kendrick's power of attorney. For all practical purposes he is Kendrick. He will sign the checks just as Kendrick would have signed them. Is not that your idea, Mr. Hampden?"
"You have stated exactly my understanding of my instructions, Mr. Coleman. I am ready to sign any checks that Mr. Kendrick would sign if he were here."
Partridge nodded his assent to this construction of my orders, but Nelson still looked sourly at me.
"What checks do you think he would sign?" asked Nelson.
"Why, in general, I should say that they would be any that are approved by you three gentlemen."
Nelson's face cleared and he stopped drumming on the table.
"That is satisfactory," he said. "Then we had better make our headquarters again in Mr. Kendrick's office. It is the most central location. We shall be there a little before ten o'clock."
"You had better see the bank about transferring the money to your account before the opening," said Partridge, as we rose to go. "When the fun begins, you'll have no time to waste."