"And then what?"
"Nothin' that I know of."
"That's it; nothing—nor ever will. Well, he's been getting money from me for those patents—I thought at fust there might be somethin' in 'em—but he won't any more. I'd oughter had more sense."
A little colour spotted the girl's sallow cheeks. "He'd never ha' got money from you if he hadn't thought he could pay it back," she told Blinky hotly.
"No, nor if I hadn't thought he could——"
She interjected a significant "Huh!" He broke off abruptly, pale with anger.
"Well, I want to see him, and I want to see him before noon," he snapped. "I'm goin' over to the bank, an' if he knows what's good for him he'll come there pretty darn quick."
"I'll try to find him for you; he must be somewhere round," she offered.
"Well, you better. I ain't got much patience to-day."
He swung on one heel and slouched out, as Betty turned to go upstairs. Presently she reappeared pinning on her sad little hat, and left the store.