Jack sank into a chair without replying. His mind was busy trying to devise some means of averting the blow that appeared so imminent. Though it cut him to the heart to see his sister so distressed, he could offer her no comforting hope.
"I'm going up to see Mr. Gray," he said, finally, "I'll tell him just how the matter stands. I don't believe if he knew the particulars that he would let Mr. Hammerby put us out."
"If he did he'd be the hardest-hearted man in Corney," declared Deb, between her sobs.
For Jack to think, was to act, and in a few seconds he was ready to depart.
"Shall I go along?" asked his sister, hesitatingly.
"I guess not. You can meet me at the corner if you like," replied Jack.
Mr. Gray's residence was situated in the fashionable part of the town. It was an elegant establishment throughout, and Jack was not a little awed by the sumptuous surroundings.
He was ushered into the hall, and found himself among half a dozen others, all awaiting an interview with the manufacturer.
It was fully half an hour before he was told to enter the library. He found Mr. Felix Gray seated at a desk which was deep with letters and documents.
The manufacturer was a stout man of fifty, with a certain sullen, bull-dog cast of countenance.