"It's rather broad, you see, gentlemen, but there are receipts for every
dollar, barring some trifling incidentals. He may think I dissipated the
fortune, but I defy him or any one else to prove that I have not had my money's
worth. To tell you the truth, it has seemed like a hundred million. If any
one should tell you that it is an easy matter to waste a million dollars,
refer him to me. Last fall I weighed 180 pounds, yesterday I barely moved
the beam at 140; last fall there was not a wrinkle in my face, nor did I
have a white hair. You see the result of overwork, gentlemen. It will take
an age to get back to where I was physically, but I think I can do it with
the vacation that begins to-morrow. Incidentally, I'm going to be married
to-morrow morning, just when I am poorer than I ever expect to be again.
I still have a few dollars to spend and I must be about it. To-morrow I will
account for what I spend this evening. It is now covered by the 'sundries'
item, but I'll have the receipts to show, all right. See you to-morrow morning."
He was gone, eager to be with Peggy, afraid to discuss his report with the
lawyers. Grant and Ripley shook their heads and sat silent for a long time
after his departure.
"We ought to hear something definite before night," said Grant, but there
was anxiety in his voice.
"I wonder," mused Ripley, as if to himself, "how he will take it if the worst
should happen."
