so overwhelmed was i by my position, and so occupied with my frantic efforts to improve it, that i did not even find time to go and see the signorina, much as i needed comfort; and, as the days went on, i fell into such despair that i went nowhere, but sat dismally in my own rooms, looking at my portmanteau, and wondering how soon i must pack and fly, if not for life, at least for liberty. at last the crash came. i was sitting in my office one morning, engaged in the difficult task of trying to make ten into fifteen, when i heard the clatter of hoofs. a moment later the door was opened, and jones ushered in colonel mcgregor. i nodded to the colonel, who came in with his usual leisurely step, sat himself down, and took off his gloves. i roused myself to say: what can i do for you, colonel? he waited till the door closed behind jones, and then said: ive got to the bottom of it at last, martin. this was true of myself also, but the colonel meant it in a different sense. bottom of what? i asked, rather testily. that old scamps villainy, said he, jerking his thumb toward the piazza and the statue of the liberator. hes very cute, but hes made a mistake at last. do come to the point, colonel. whats it all about? would you be surprised to hear, said the colonel, adopting a famous mode of speech, that the interest on the debt would not be paid on the 31st? no, i shouldnt, said i resignedly. would you be surprised to hear that no more interest would ever be paid? the devil! i cried, leaping up. what do you mean, man? the president, said he calmly, will, on the 31st instant, _repudiate the national debt_! i had nothing left to say. i fell back in my chair and gazed at the colonel, who was now employed in lighting a cigarette. at the same moment a sound of rapid wheels struck on my ears. then i heard the sweet, clear voice i knew so well saying: ill just disturb him for a moment, mr. jones. i want him to tear himself from work for a day, and come for a ride. she opened my door, and came swiftly in. on seeing the colonel she took in the position, and said to that gentleman: have you told him? i have just done so, signorina, he replied. i had not energy enough to greet her; so she also sat down uninvited, and took off her glovesnot lazily, like the colonel, but with an air as though she would, if a man, take off her coat, to meet the crisis more energetically. at last i said, with conviction: hes a wonderful man! how did you find it out, colonel? had johnny carr to dine and made him drunk, said that worthy. you dont mean he trusted johnny? odd, isnt it? said the colonel. with his experience, too. he might have known johnny was an ass. i suppose there was no one else. he knew, said the signorina, anyone else in the place would betray him; he knew johnny wouldnt if he could help it. he underrated your powers, colonel. well, said i, i cant help it, can i? my directors will lose. the bondholders will lose. but how does it hurt me? the colonel and the signorina both smiled gently. you do it very well, martin, said the former, but it will save time if i state that both signorina nugent and myself are possessed of the details regarding the (the colonel paused, and stroked his mustache.) the second loan, said the signorina. i was less surprised at this, recollecting certain conversations. ah! and how did you find that out? i asked. she told me, said the colonel, indicating his fair neighbor. and may i ask how you found it out, signorina? the president told me, said that lady. did you make him drunk? no, not drunk, was her reply, in a very demure voice, and with downcast eyes. we could guess how it had been done, but neither of us cared to pursue the subject. after a pause, i said: well, as you both know all about it, its no good keeping up pretenses. its very kind of you to come and warn me. you dear, good mr. martin, said the signorina, our motives are not purely those of friendship. why, how does it matter to you? simply this, said she: the bank and its excellent manager own most of the debt. the colonel and i own the rest. if it is repudiated, the bank loses; yes, but the manager, and the colonel, and the signorina nugent are lost! i didnt know this, i said, rather bewildered. yes, said the colonel, when the first loan was raised i lent him one hundred thousand dollars. we were thick then, and i did it in return for my rank and my seat in the chamber. since then ive bought up some more shares