"He said he'd give me a week."
"A whole week?" Luke tried to appear encouraged. "That's six good working days. You can get the money together in that time."
"Huber"—Forbes came over to Luke and stood above the newspaper—"I've told you what it would do to our credit to try. But I've come to the conclusion that we could not get this money from any bank in America."
"What do you mean? Not if we have security?"
"Not if we could offer the Metropolitan Life Building for security. Not from any bank in America."
Luke put down the paper.
"But that——" He stopped a moment, and then went on: "But there's only one group of men in the country that could put up such a wall."
"That," said Forbes simply, "is the group I mean."
Luke's eyes were veiled. He rose and walked across the room. Presently, over his shoulder, he inquired sharply:
"What makes you think this?"