an estate estimated at--" he stopped from sheer
surprise.

"Some of the investments went bad," Gordon continued;
"down in Stenton they said I didn't move
'em fast enough. Then the old man had a lot laid
out in ways I don't hold with, with people I wouldn't
collect from. And it's a fact a big amount's got out
here lately. Of course it will come back, the most
part."

Simmons' expression grew skeptical.

"I know you too," Gordon added; "you'll want
the price in your hand."

"I'm getting on," the storekeeper admitted; "I
can't wait now."

"I don't know if I can make it," Gordon repeated;
"it'll strip me if I do."

Valentine Simmons swung back to his desk. "At
least," he observed, "keep this quiet till something's
settled."

Gordon agreed.

[[325]]

p324 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p325w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p326

v?