“Why?” asked Carl, with keen interest.
“I have reason to think he is embarrassed. I know that he has a good many bills out, some of which have been running a long time. If any pressure is brought to bear upon him, he may have to suspend.”
Carl felt that he was obtaining important information. If Mr. French were in such a condition Miss Norris would be pretty sure to lose her money if she advanced it.
“To what do you attribute Mr. French’s embarrassment?” he asked.
“He lives expensively in a handsome house near Lincoln Park, and draws heavily upon the business for his living expenses. I think that explains it. I only wonder that he has been able to hold out so long.”
“Perhaps if he were assisted he would be able to keep his head above water.”
“He would need a good deal of assistance. You see that my place isn’t very secure, and I shall soon need to be looking up another.”
“I don’t think I shall need to inquire any farther,” thought Carl. “It seems to me Miss Norris had better keep her money.”
Before he retired he indited the following letter to his Albany employer:
Miss Rachel Norris.