Mr. Moss found him reading the news over his breakfast-table. Business, as we know, had not prospered with Mr. Moss of late years; his investments had turned out badly, and he was in low water himself. He had placed his dependence upon Aaron to pull him through, and the rock he had depended upon was crumbling away. "You are also in trouble, Mr. Moss," said Aaron, as his friend made his appearance. "I have brought the second edition of the morning papers," replied Mr. Moss, with a white face. "The Stock Exchange is in a blaze, and the world is coming to an end." "There will be misery in many homes," said Aaron. "It is the innocent who will chiefly suffer. I pity them sincerely." "Everything is going to the dogs," groaned Mr. Moss. "Have you breakfasted?" "Had breakfast at seven o'clock. Couldn't sleep a wink all night, and could hardly eat a mouthful!" "Why?" "Why?" exclaimed Mr. Moss. "What a question to ask when ruin stares a man in the face!" "I hope," said Aaron, gravely, "that you are not deeply involved." "I am up to my neck. But what is my position compared with yours? Cohen, you are a mystery." "Because I accept the inevitable? Can you show me how I can improve matters?" "No, I can't," answered Mr. Moss, with a deep groan; "only if I had capital I could make a fortune." "In what way?" "By joining the bears. Cohen, you have a grand chance before you. Your credit is good. There is nothing for it but a plunge. It will set you right. Luck has been with you all your life; it will be with you now." "How if it goes the other way, Mr. Moss?" "What if it does? You will be no worse off than a thousand men who are plunging." "The majority of whom, before another sun rises, will find themselves disgraced. No, Mr. Moss, no. I have never dabbled in stocks and shares at the risk of my good name, and I never will. There is but one way to meet misfortune, and that is the straight way. We will go to the City and ascertain, if we can, exactly how matters stand. Rachel and Esther do not return from Bournemouth till the afternoon." In the City they learned the worst, and Aaron realised that he was beggared. "Can you save nothing from the wreck?" asked Mr. Moss. "Nothing," replied Aaron. "It may be that all I possess will not be sufficient to clear me. I think you had better take Esther back with you to Portsmouth; you have been absent from your business too long." "I must go this evening," said Mr. Moss; "but Esther can stay. She will be a comfort to Mrs. Cohen." "No, take her with you. In this crisis Rachel, I know, would prefer to be alone with me. Besides," he added, with a sad smile, "I have to provide another home, and I must be careful of my shillings." "Another home, Cohen! What do you mean?"