“I will settle with you this afternoon, sure pop,” returned Gus.
“Why can’t you do it now? You have got your money, for I saw you draw it.”
“I know it, but I haven’t got it now. I’ll be on hand this evening—sure.”
“You said this afternoon,” answered Sam, looking suspiciously at Gus.
“Well, this afternoon, then.”
So saying, Gus crowded past Sam and went into the bank. To his great relief there was no one in front of the cashier’s desk; no one present to see him receive his hundred dollars. With a beating heart and trembling hand he produced his check, and breathed a good deal easier when he saw that the cashier did not exhibit any surprise at its magnitude. He was in hopes that the man would be in a hurry about cashing it, but instead of that he was very deliberate in his movements. He looked at the check on all sides and then he looked at Gus.
“Who is this John Ackerman?” he asked.
“He used to be father’s book-keeper, you know,” said Gus.
“O, yes! Do you want us to collect this for you?”
“No, sir; I want the money on it now.”