"I got mine in the mail this morning." He drew it from his pocket and his frown grew deeper. "Let's go in the den," he said; "we've got to talk this out."
It was the annual report of Spencer & Son's business and briefly stated, it showed an alarming loss for the preceding twelve months.
"Ah-ha!" thought Mary, "that's the reason they didn't look up yesterday.
They had seen this, and they felt ashamed."
"As nearly as I can make it out," said the judge, "there's too many improvements going on, and not enough business. We must do something to stop these big expenses, and find a way to get more bearings sold—"
He checked himself then and looked at Mary, much as Mac had looked the previous day, just before issuing his warning.
"Perhaps he's thinking of Uncle Stanley, too," thought Mary.
"Another bad feature is this," continued the judge, "the bank is getting too strong a hold on the company. We must stop that before it gets any worse."
"Why?" asked Mary, looking very innocent.
"Because it isn't good business."
"But Uncle Stanley is president of the bank. You don't think he'd do anything to hurt Spencer & Son; do you?"