“I don’t, and I am one of them.”
“If I could recover that money,” said the merchant reflectively, “I could pay my creditors dollar for dollar.”
Tom pricked up his ears.
“Then you could pay me back ten thousand dollars?”
“Yes, and with interest.”
“Then I’ll go on speculation,” said Tom resolutely.
“How can you go? It will cost money.”
“I know that, sir, but I have a few hundred dollars left.”
“You will have more, my boy. I feel confident, even as it is, of paying thirty cents on the dollar.”
“Why,” said Tom, “that would be three thousand dollars.”