Part 21 (1/2)
”What?” asked Mr. Swift and Tom in the same breath.
”The cash, or, what's just as good, the promise of it. I called up Mr.
Chase, of the Clayton National Bank, and he has agreed to take the railroad securities I offered him as collateral, and let me have sixty thousand dollars on them! That will give us cash enough to weather the storm. Hurrah! We're all right now. Bless my check book!”
”The Clayton National Bank,” remarked Mr. Swift, and his voice was hopeless. ”It's forty miles away, Mr. Damon, and no railroad around here runs anywhere near it. No one could get there and back with the cash to-day, in time to save us from ruin. It's impossible! Our last chance is gone.”
”How far did you say it was, Dad?” asked Tom quickly.
”Forty miles there, over forty, I guess, and not very good roads. We would need to have the cash here before three o'clock to be of any service to us. No, it's out of the question. The bank will have to fail!”
”No!” cried the young inventor, and his voice rang out through the room. ”I'll get the cash for you!”
”How?” gasped Mr. Damon. ”You can't get there and back in time?”
”Yes, I can!” cried Tom. ”In my electric runabout! I can make it go a hundred miles an hour, if necessary! Probably I'll have to run slow over the bad roads; but I can do it! I know I can. I'll get the sixty thousand dollars for you!”
For a moment there was silence. Then Mr. Damon cried:
”Good! And I'll go with you and deliver the securities to Mr. Chase.
Come on, Tom Swift! Bless my collar b.u.t.ton, but maybe we can yet save the old bank after all!”
CHAPTER XVIII
AFTER THE CASH
Tom's proposal as a way out of the difficulty, and the prompt seconding of it by Mr. Damon, seemed to deprive the other bank officials, Mr.
Swift included, of the power of speech for a few moments. Then, as there came to the room where the scene had taken place, the sound of the mob outside, clamoring for cash, Mr. Pendergast, the president, remarked in a low voice:
”It seems to be the only way. Do you think you can do it, Tom Swift?”
”I'm sure of it, as far as my electric car is concerned,” replied the young inventor. ”If we get the cash I'll have it back here on time. The runabout is all ready for a fast trip.”
”Then don't lose any time, Tom,” advised his father. ”Every minute counts.”
”Yes,” added Mr. Damon. ”Come on. I've got the securities in my valise, and we can bring the cash back in the same satchel. Come on, Tom.”
The eccentric character caught up his valise, and started from the room. Tom followed.
”Now, my son, be careful,” advised his father. ”You know the need of haste, but don't take unnecessary risks. You'd better go out the back way, as the crowd is easily excited.”
Little more was said. Mr. Swift clasped his son's hand in a firm pressure, and the bank president nervously bade the lad good-by. Then, slipping out of the bank, by the rear entrance, the porter closing the door after them, Tom and Mr. Damon took their places in the electric machine.
”Just imagine you're racing for that three-thousand-dollar prize, offered by the Touring Club of America, Tom,” observed Mr. Damon, as he deposited the valise at his feet.
”I don't have to do that,” replied the youth. ”I'm trying for a bigger prize than that. I want to save the bank, and defeat the schemes of the Fogers--father and son.”
Tom turned on the power, and the machine rolled out on the main street.