Andy blushed when presented to the pretty companion of their young hostess, but he soon recovered his usual spirits and gave a laughable account of a joke he had played at school that day. The young people were getting on well together when Gertrude entered the dining-room, followed by her mother.
"Oh, do you think there is really a chance?" asked Mrs. Morton, when Frank and Andy had been introduced, and the elder lad had explained his project.
"I am pretty sure," he answered. "If you will let me see the bonds I will write my father about them."
The securities which Mrs. Morton brought out, explaining that she had excused herself from the professor for a time, proved to be in a well-known industrial concern that, while it manufactured a good product, yet had been in hard luck of late.
"I believe those will prove valuable sooner or later," said Frank. "I'll write to father at once. Meanwhile you might tell Professor Callum that he will soon get his money."
"Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed gratefully. "I cannot thank you enough." She hurried back into the room, whence soon came the protesting voice of the crabbed instructor. Mrs. Morton could be heard reassuring him. The young people were gaily talking.
Suddenly the door of the parlor opened and the professor came out, followed by Gertrude's mother.
"It is of no use!" the man exclaimed. "I will take no more promises. I came here to-night determined to get the money, and I will have it. Unless it is paid shortly I shall take means to levy on this property and have it sold at auction to satisfy my claim. You said you have been told that the bonds are good. But why don't you tell me who says this? Why are you so secretive about it?"
Frank had thought it best not to have Mrs. Morton mention his father's name in the matter as yet.
"Why don't you tell me who says the bonds are good?" demanded Mr. Callum.