"Your funds were transferred to us by our Honduras correspondent," the financier said. "Since you were leaving Honduras almost immediately, we decided to care for the funds until you arrived and we could talk to you."
"I shall want some good investments, of course," Prale said. "I have disposed of all my holdings in Honduras, and I don't want the money to be idle."
"Idleness is as bad for dollars as for men," said the financier, clearing his throat.
"Can you suggest some investments? I have engaged no broker as yet, of course."
"I—er—I am afraid that we have nothing at the present moment," the financier said.
"The market must be good," Prale observed. "I never knew a time when investments were lacking."
"I would not offer you a poor one, and good ones are scarce with us at present," said the banker. "Sorry that we cannot attend to the business for you. Perhaps some other trust company——"
"Well, I can wait for something to turn up," Prale said. "There is no hurry, of course. Probably you'll have something in a few weeks that will take care of at least a part of the money."
The banker cleared his throat again, and looked a trifle embarrassed as he spoke. "The fact of the matter is, Mr. Prale," he said, "that we do not care for the account."
"I beg your pardon!" Prale exclaimed. "You mean you don't want me to leave my money in your bank?"