“I won't accept it for myself, but I'll tell you something. My chum, Gates, is very hard pushed. You know he depends wholly on himself, and twenty-five dollars just at this time would be a godsend to him. He is worried about paying his bills. If, now, you would transfer a little at your generosity to him—”
“I don't know him very well, but if you speak well of him that is enough. I shall be glad to help him. Let me see how much I can spare.”
He drew out a wallet, and from it four ten dollar bills.
“Here are forty dollars,” he said. “Give them to him, but don't let him know where they came from.”
“Creswell, you're a trump!” said Walter, shaking his hand vigorously. “You don't know how happy you will make him.”
“Oh, that's all right. But I'm sorry you won't let me do something for you.”
“I will if I need it.”
“Good!” said Creswell, in a tone of satisfaction. “Now, mind, you don't hesitate.”
Walter, happy in the happiness he was going to confer, made his way quickly to his own room. Gates sat at the table with a troubled brow, writing some figures on a piece of paper.
“What are you about, Gates?” asked his chum.