A FIGHT FOR LIFE 103 



grain and there was some suspicion that letters were 

 reaching the head office of the bank in Montreal, advis- 

 ing that the quicker this particular account was closed 

 out the better off the bank would be. 



Then one morning the local manager called on the 

 Executive and his face was grave. 



" This is not the first time I've heard from the Head 

 Office about this account, as you know," he began at 

 once, " but I'm afraid it's the last call, gentlemen." He 

 handed a letter to the President. " As you see, I am 

 instructed to close out your account at once unless 

 further security is forthcoming. I'm sorry; for I 

 believe you've merely run into hard luck in getting 

 squared away. But I'm not the bank, you under- 

 stand." 



" What do you want us to do ? What can we do ?" 

 asked Partridge anxiously. " This thing will straighten 

 out, Mr. Machaffie. We're getting the business. You 

 know that. We're going to get back our trading privi- 

 leges and everything will be alright." 



The banker shook his head slowly. 



" I'm sorry, gentlemen. But do you know what your 

 overdraft amounts to now?" 



" Three" hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars," 

 murmured the Secretary-Treasurer. 



" Exactly." 



" WHat are we to do ?" 



" Before coming here I've been to see the Scottish 

 Co-Operative Wholesale Society about taking some of 

 your wheat. Fisher is ready to help you out if he finds 

 he's not overstepping the rules of the Exchange. I may 

 be able to carry you along for a short time if you three 

 gentlemen, the Executive of your company, will give 

 the bank your personal bond without limit as to the 



