“In his usual conspicuous and important way he had his check book out, fountain pen in hand, and ended up a grand flourish to his signature with a sort of triumphant grin at me as I entered the office.
“‘Too late, Mr. Man!’ he chuckled. ‘Thought maybe you would be after the king attraction of the season, so I hot-footed it here from the train. There you are, sir,’ and he handed the check to the cashier of the Exchange. ‘Just pack up that film and the posters. Building a big transparency advertising it. If I can catch an early train we’ll put it on to-night.’
“‘I cannot deliver the goods on this check, Mr. Carrington,’ said the cashier, politely but firmly.
“‘I’d like to know why you can’t!’ flared up Peter. ‘That check is good as gold, and my aunt has a little fortune in that same bank.’
“‘All right, get someone in New York to indorse it and you can have the goods,’ advised the cashier. ‘It’s no discrimination, Mr. Carrington. We make this a stringent rule with all out-of-town customers.’
“‘Why, if you doubt my word, telegraph the bank at Seaside Park,’ flustered Peter. ‘Say, I’ll do it myself. I’ll have the cash wired on, but I shall enter a protest and a complaint with your superiors.’
“‘That’s all right,’ smiled the cashier indifferently. ‘I’ll give you an hour to get the cash here. Only, remember we are likely to have other bids.’
“‘I am on hand to take a look at the proposition,’ I remarked just there. Peter nearly had a fit. Then he dived for the door. I found out that his figure was ninety-eight dollars for the week. I added two dollars. ‘Wait the hour,’ said the cashier.
“The hour was up and fifteen minutes over the limit when Peter rushed upon the scene once more,” narrated Vincent. “He pulled a big wad of bank notes out of his pocket. ‘Pack up that film,’ he ordered sourly, ‘and cancel all our other orders. I’m going to a new place where they won’t question my credit on a measly sum like ninety-eight dollars.’
“‘The film is sold for Seaside Park,’ explained the cashier. ‘The Wonderland has overbid you. You are overdue.’