"
"Why not? Do you think you are in any
danger of being discharged?"
"It is not that. I am afraid Mr. French will
be obliged to give up business."
"Why?" asked Carl, with keen interest.
"I have reason to think he is embarrassed.
I know that he has a good many bills out,
some of which have been running a long time.
If any pressure is brought to bear upon him,
he may have to suspend."
Carl felt that he was obtaining important information.
If Mr. French were in such a condition Miss Norris
would be pretty sure to lose her money if she advanced it.
"To what do you attribute Mr. French's embarrassment?" he asked.
"He lives expensively in a handsome house near Lincoln Park,
and draws heavily upon the business for his living expenses.
I think that explains it. I only wonder that he has been able
to hold out so long."
"Perhaps if he were assisted he would be able to keep
his head above water."
"He would need a good deal of assistance.
You see that my place isn't very secure, and
I shall soon need to be looking up another."
"I don't think I shall need to inquire any farther,"
thought Carl. "It seems to me Miss Norris had
better keep her money."
Before he retired he indited the following
letter to his Albany employer:
Miss Rachel Norris.
"Dear Madam:--I have attended to your
commission, and have to report that Mr.
French appears to be involved in business
embarrassments, and in great danger to bankruptcy.
The loan he asks of you would no doubt
be of service, but probably would not
long delay the crash.
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