"I'm afraid so too, and it's a shame after the way you worked to get things going."
"Oh, you did your share. But it can't be helped. However, I'm not going to cross a bridge until I hear the rustlings of its wings. I wish we'd hear from Waterside or Milton, though. They're taking their time about answering those challenges."
"Maybe they got heart disease at the nerve of Riverview asking for a game."
"Well, they needn't. We've got as good a team as either one, even if our grounds aren't good. But come on," and Frank, having succeeded in tying his scarf to his taste, made ready to start.
The business with Lawyer Bolton was soon concluded. He said that several unexpected difficulties had been met with in the sale of the bonds because of lawsuits against the company issuing them.
"But what need that matter?" asked Frank. "Mrs. Morton needs the money. Now, why can't I advance it to her? I will! I don't much care whether the bonds are good anyhow."
"Ah, yes, that's easy enough to say," declared the lawyer, "but the court has issued an injunction against the disposal of the bonds in any way until this trouble is settled. The bonds are the only security for the debt, so unless you want to give Mrs. Morton the money outright nothing can be done until the matter is settled. I don't believe your father would like you to use your money in that way without some security."
"Oh, I don't believe he'd care!" exclaimed Frank. "Give her the money and have done with it."
"Ah, yes, but she won't take it;" said Mr. Bolton. "I sounded her on that when I found that the bonds were likely to be tied up, and she refused to consider it. She is very independent, and she won't accept money unless she gives what she believes to be good security. So you see you'll have to wait."
"And in the meanwhile Professor Thorndyke Callum may act and secure the Morton home," said Frank dubiously.