“Well?” asked his brother, finally.
“Oliver,” said the other, “don’t you think that I ought to know more about it, so that I can judge?”
“You could not judge, even if I told you all,” said Oliver. “It would take you a long time to become familiar with the circumstances, as I am. You must take my word; I know it is certain and safe.”
Then suddenly he unbuttoned his coat, and took out some papers, and handed his brother a telegram. It was dated Chicago, and read, “Guest is expected immediately.—HENRY.” “That means, ‘Buy Transcontinental this morning,’” said Oliver.
“I see,” said the other. “Then the man is in Chicago?”
“No,” was the reply. “That is his wife. He wires to her.”
“—How much money have you?” asked Oliver, after a pause.
“I’ve most of the fifty thousand,” the other answered, “and about thirty thousand we brought with us.”
“How much can you put your hands on?”
“Why, I could get all of it; but part of the money is mother’s, and I would not touch that.”