"
Evidently, Tony Denton understood Randolph's weak point,
and played on it skillfully. He assumed an air of extra
consequence, as he remarked condescendingly: "You are very
obliging, Tony, and I shall not forget it."
Tony Denton laughed in his sleeve at the boy's vanity, but
his manner was very respectful, and Randolph looked upon him
as an humble friend and admirer.
"He is a sensible man, Tony; he understands what is due to
my position," he said to himself.
After Denton's visit to New York with Prince Duncan, and
the knowledge which he then acquired about the president of
the Groveton Bank, he decided that the time had come to cut
short Randolph's credit with him. The day of reckoning always
comes in such cases, as I hope my young friends will fully
understand. Debt is much more easily contracted than liquidated,
and this Randolph found to his cost.
One morning he was about to start on a game of billiards,
when Tony Denton called him aside.
"I would like to speak a word to you, Mr. Duncan," he said smoothly.
"All right, Tony," said Randolph, in a patronizing tone.
"What can I do for you?"
"My rent comes due to-morrow, Mr.
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