" Mr. Sheratt began to wax eloquent. "Fidelity
to its constituency, its shareholders, its depositors, indeed to the
general public, is the corner-stone of its policy. The Bank of Scotland
is a National Institution, with a certain National obligation."
Mr. Rae quietly drew from his pocket a pamphlet, opened it slowly,
and glanced at the page. "Ay, it's as I thought, Mr. Sheratt," he said
dryly. "At times I wondered where Sir Archibald got his style."
Mr. Sheratt blushed like a boy caught copying.
"But now since I know who it is that writes the speech of the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, tell me, Sheratt, as man to man, is it you or
is it Sir Archibald that's at the back of this prosecution? For if it is
you, I've something to say to you; if not, I'll just say it where it's
most needed. In some way or other I'm bound to see this thing through.
That boy can't go to prison. Now tell me, Tom? It's for auld sake's
sake."
"As sure as death, Rae, it's the Chairman, and it's God's truth I'm
telling ye, though I should not." They were back again into the speech
and spirit of their boyhood days.
"Then I must see Sir Archibald. Give me time to see him, Tom."
"It's a waste of time, I'm tellin' ye, but two days I'll give ye, Sandy,
for auld sake's sake, as you say. A friendship of half a hundred years
should mean something to us.
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