The money must, therefore, be borrowed of Arthur Breen & Co. His
uncle would know then beyond doubt; his axiom being that the only
thing that talked loud enough ever to make him listen was "money."
It was therefore with a sense of supreme satisfaction, interwoven
with certain suppressed exuberance born of freedom and self-
reliance, that Jack, in answer to Breen's "What's this?" when his
eyes rested on the bundle of bonds, replied in an off-hand but
entirely respectful manner:
"Ten United States Government bonds, sir; and will you please give
me a check drawn to my order for this amount?" and he handed the
astounded broker the slip of paper McGowan had given him, on which
was scrawled the total of the overdue vouchers.
Breen slipped off the rubber band, spread out the securities as a
lady opens a fan, noted the title, date, and issue, and having
assured himself of their genuineness, asked in a confused, almost
apologetic way, as he touched a bell to summon the cashier:
"Where did you get these? Did MacFarlane give them to you?"
"No--a friend," answered Jack casually, and without betraying a
trace of either excitement or impatience.
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