"It would be impossible to make the trip just now," Pen said quickly. "If you only had somebody there to act for you."
"I have friends, plenty of them," he said gloomily. "But whom could I trust in an affair of this sort? It's not their loyalty I doubt, but their good sense ... Anyhow how could I get my side of the case before them?"
"Couldn't I carry messages to your friends?" asked Pen diffidently. "Perhaps I could find someone competent to act for you ... Perhaps I could get acquainted with Riever. If I could see him I'd know. A woman might discover his weak spot ..."
"I wouldn't let you have anything to do with Riever," he said quickly. "He's a swine!"
Pen was charmed by his proprietary air.
"Besides all that would take money," Don went on dejectedly. "I have only a few dollars. A check would be fatal."
"Perhaps I could find the money," murmured Pen.
"I couldn't let you do that," he said painfully. "Please don't speak of it."
"But if it is necessary!" she persisted. "This is no time for the silly little conventions of life. We must speak of it again... What time is it?"
He flashed a pocket light on his watch. "Two o'clock."