Mr. Plum did not seem startled, nor even much impressed, by the judge’s announcement of the large amount of bail he would require to set Mr. Newton free. Perhaps the lawyer was accustomed to such matters for his clients. At any rate, as Tom said afterward, “he never turned a hair,” but turned to Mr. Newton and asked:
“Are you prepared to furnish that amount of bail?”
“Why, no, I’m afraid I am not,” was the hesitating answer.
“What’s going to happen, Tom?” whispered Ned to his chum. “Do you think dad will have to be locked up?”
“No, I think there must be some way out,” replied Tom. “Great hoptoads! I never thought we’d need more than five thousand dollars.”
“That’s an awful lot of money to get on a moment’s notice,” sighed Ned.
“The five thousand’s about all the cash we have on hand just at present,” stated Tom Swift. “But of course we can raise a lot more. The question is, though, can we do it in time? Let’s see what Mr. Plum is saying.”
The lawyer was addressing the court.
“I suppose,” he said, “your honor will be content with a real estate bond or that of a surety company?”
“Either one, Mr. Plum,” was the answer.