And, by Jove! I was a little taken aback when I found what I was in for, for everybody seemed to have unloaded, and I found I hadn't money enough to pay margins, but I knew that Demorest was here, and I reckoned on his seeing me through." He stopped and colored, but added hopefully, "I reckon I'm safe, anyway, for just as the thing was over those same clerks of Van Loo's came bounding into the office to buy up everything.

And offered to take it off my hands and pay the margins." "And you ?" said both men eagerly, and in a breath.
Barker stared at them, and reddened and paled by turns.

"I held on," he stammered.

"You see, boys"-- Both men had caught him by the arms.

"How much have you got ?" they said, shaking him as if to precipitate the answer.
"It's a heap!" said Barker.