That leaves me short."
"Then you couldn't manage it?" said Ferguson, soberly.
"Not at present," said the squire, decidedly.
"Then we must write to Mr. Anderson, offering what we have, and a
mortgage to secure the rest."
"That will be your best course."
"He may agree to our terms," said Harry, hopefully, after their
visitor had left the office.
"We will hope so, at all events."
A letter was at once despatched, and in a week the answer was
received.
"I am sorry," Mr. Anderson wrote, "to decline your proposals, but, I
have immediate need of the whole sum which I ask for the paper. If I
cannot obtain it, I shall come back to Centreville, though I would
prefer to remain here."
Upon the receipt of this letter, Ferguson gave up his work for the
forenoon, and made a tour of the Village, calling upon all who he
thought were likely to have money to lend. He had small expectation
of success, but felt that he ought to try everywhere before giving up
so good a chance.
While he was absent, Harry had a welcome visitor. It was no other
than Professor Henderson, the magician, in whose employ he had spent
three months some years before, as related in "Bound to Rise."
"Take a seat, professor," said Harry, cordially. "I am delighted to
see you."
"How you have grown, Harry!" said the professor. "Why, I should
hardly have known you!"
"We haven't met since I left you to enter this office.
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