“No! By G——! She shan’t!” said the Major desperately. “If she goes I’ll go with her!”
Meanwhile, the confidential clerk from the bank, whose visit was the unguessed cause of all this trouble, went back to his chief and reported the result of his mission.
“Well, I’m glad it’s all right,” said the manager after hearing him out. “I confess I had my suspicions, for Miss Leslie has never drawn five hundred all at once from her current account before. I am sorry I doubted the young man. Tell the cashier to attend to him at once when he calls.”
At the appointed hour, Boy came into the bank, walking slowly and feebly, and looking very ill. The cashier greeted him smilingly, and with effusive civility.
“Just ready, sir!” and he began counting out crisp bank notes rapidly.
Boy leaned on the counter looking at him.
“I thought you said there was some formality——” he began.
“Quite right, sir! Yes—so there was, but we hurried the matter by sending the cheque to Miss Leslie and asking her if it was all right——”
Boy took a deep sharp breath.
“And she——?” he began.