“It was a plan to get hold of twenty thousand dollars worth of bonds and cash,” whispered the man.

“How?” was all I could say.

“Out of the bank.”

“But how could you do it?” I asked innocently.

Mr. Norton looked at me with a sneer on his lips.

“Reuben, you’re a fool!” he cried. “You haven’t any sand in you at all.”

“A little while ago you said I was pretty smart,” I returned, for it seemed about the only thing to say.

“You are in some ways, but in others you are as blind as a mule. Of course, you don’t suppose the bank officials would hand the amount right over if it was asked for.”

“Then I don’t see how father or you could get it, unless you had that sum on deposit.”

“You don’t, eh?”