The checker players left their boards and came over; the "seven-up" devotees dropped their cards and joined the circle.
"What was that you said ?" asked Higgins, uneasily.

"The Major owin' you money, was it ?" "Oh, course I know he's all right and a fine man and all that," protested Obed, feeling himself put on the defensive.

"But that ain't it.

What's a feller goin' to do when he needs the money and gets a letter like that ?" He drew the crumpled sheet of note paper from his pocket, and threw it on the table.

Higgins picked it up and read it aloud, as follows: SILVERLEAF HALL, June 20th.
MY DEAR MR.