“You have this money?” he said at length.  Mr. Hopper nodded.

“And you will take my note for the amount?”

“Yes, sir.”

The Colonel pulled his goatee, and sat back in his chair, trying to face the new light in which he saw his manager.  He knew well enough that the man was not doing this out of charity, or even gratitude.  He reviewed his whole career, from that first morning when he had carried bales to the shipping room, to his replacement of Mr. Hood, and there was nothing with which to accuse him.  He remembered the warnings of Captain Lige and Virginia.  He could not in honor ask a cent from the Captain now.  He would not ask his sister-in-law, Mrs. Colfax, to let him touch the money he had so ably invested for her; that little which Virginia’s mother had left the girl was sacred.

Night after night Mr. Carvel had lain awake with the agony of those Eastern debts.  Not to pay was to tarnish the name of a Southern gentleman.  He could not sell the business.  His house would bring nothing in these times.  He rose and began to pace the floor, tugging at his chin.  Twice he paused to stare at Mr. Hopper, who sat calmly on, and the third time stopped abruptly before him.

“See here,” he cried.  “Where the devil did you get this money, sir?”

Mr. Hopper did not rise.

“I haven’t been extravagant, Colonel, since I’ve worked for you,” he said.  “It don’t cost me much to live.  I’ve been fortunate in investments.”

The furrows in the Colonel’s brow deepened.

“You offer to lend me five times more than I have ever paid you, Mr. Hopper.  Tell me how you have made this money before I accept it.”

Eliphalet had never been able to meet that eye since he had known it.  He did not meet it now.  But he went to his desk, and drew a long sheet of paper from a pigeonhole.

“These be some of my investments,” he answered, with just a tinge of surliness.  “I cal’late they’ll stand inspection.  I ain’t forcing you to take the money, sir,” he flared up, all at once.  “I’d like to save the business.”

Mr. Carvel was disarmed.  He went unsteadily to his desk, and none save God knew the shock that his pride received that day.  To rescue a name which had stood untarnished since he had brought it into the world, he drew forth some blank notes, and filled them out.  But before he signed them he spoke: 

“You are a business man, Mr. Hopper,” said he, “And as a business man you must know that these notes will not legally hold.  It is martial law.  The courts are abolished, and all transactions here in St. Louis are invalid.”

Eliphalet was about to speak.

“One moment, sir,” cried the Colonel, standing up and towering to his full height.  “Law or no law, you shall have the money and interest, or your security, which is this business.  I need not tell you, sir, that my word is sacred, and binding forever upon me and mine.”