"I'm afraid you're going to need my services," said General Wilson with a shake of his head. "Send out a hurry call to Kendrick's friends, and if they don't come to time, I'll see you through a meeting of the creditors." General Wilson spoke with professional cheerfulness, as though he would convince me that a meeting of the creditors was one of the pleasurable experiences of life.
As he spoke, the door opened, and I was startled to see Laura Kendrick enter. Her face was flushed, and excitement sparkled in her eyes. She paused irresolute, as she saw the two men with me, and I jumped to my feet and hastened to meet her.
"Am I too late?" she gasped.
"Too late?" I echoed in wonder.
"For the money--uncle's money, you know!" she cried impatiently, as she saw no sign of comprehension on my face.
"Why, I guess we can let you have whatever you need," I said. "It had better go to you than to the creditors' attorneys."
"No--no!" she cried, grasping my arm and looking up in my face, "I don't mean that. I mean the money that uncle put away. It's in the safe deposit vaults."
"The safe deposit vaults!" I cried, grasping her meaning at last. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"I ran as soon as I heard the words," she said. "Am I in time?"
"To the minute," I said. And at the words she sank into a chair with the reaction from the stress of anxiety.