When eventually he was shown into the drawing-room, he wished he hadn't come. Angela was one blaze of glory. Her guests bowed to him in a fashion that was intended, and succeeded, to make their superiority felt. Angela was cool and remarkably self-possessed. "I was passing and jest dropped in," he explained. "That was very nice of you. Will you take anything to drink?" He shook his head negatively. He only wanted to get away from these people. They were too polite to whisper to each other, but their silence was eloquent enough. They were laughing in their sleeves at this unfortunate husband. A figure dawdled up, and bowing, took Angela's arm with a smirking smile. It was Meredith. It was a pleasure to breathe the fresher air outside. Jim caught the next train to Devonshire, feeling like a dog that has been kicked by its mistress. He arrived home to find a pile of bills--debts incurred by Angela--awaiting him. He glared at them, half inclined to return them and repudiate responsibility. But he didn't. He wrote numerous checks for considerable sums and sent them away. "What a pace! But it's got to stop. God, why can't I get a holt on myself. Jim, you ain't a man. They're putting you through your paces like a circus dog, and you're taking it all lying down." He jammed on his hat and went striding out into the country. CHAPTER VII THE CLIMAX The months passed and a New Year was ushered in. The lonely man at Little Badholme wondered what it held for him. He had seen Angela only once since the evening when he had called on her. She was riding in the Row with Meredith. She had not seen Jim, but Meredith had, and smiled to himself as though he was pleasantly conscious of the pangs he gave the former. It was after breakfast one morning that the newspaper brought amazing news to Little Badholme. The first piece of news was to the effect that gold had been discovered in big quantities in the Klondyke, and that a vast stampede was taking place. The second was of far greater importance, so far as Jim was concerned. It was announced in a comparatively small headline, but it leaped out to him as he casually glanced over the columns. BIG CRASH ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE. SECRETARY AND DIRECTORS OF THE AMAZON COPPER COMPANY ABSCOND. It came as a shock to him. But a few months since he had invested all his money in the Amazon Company! He ran to the telephone and got through to his broker. The reply was what he expected; the Company had gone smash without hope of recovery, the shares were not worth the paper on which they were written. He put up the receiver and sat down to think things over. He was broke. Save for his small bank balance and the house over his head, he had nothing in the world.