"If you desire it, gentlemen," replied the young man; "though it is hardly probable that I will find him there at this hour. If you wait a little while longer, he will no doubt be in." The door opened, and two more of the parties interested in this bursting bubble arrived. "Where is Fenwick?" was eagerly asked. "Not to be found," answered one, abruptly, and with a broader meaning in his tones than any words had yet expressed. "He hasn't disappeared, also!" Fearful eyes looked into blank faces at this exclamation. "Gentlemen," said the clerk, with considerable firmness of manner, "language like this must not be used here. It impeaches the character of a man whose life has thus far been above reproach. Whatever is said here, remember, is said in his ears, and he will soon be among you to make his own response." The manner in which this was uttered repressed, for a time, further remarks reflecting on the integrity of the agent. But, after the lapse of nearly an hour, his continued absence was again referred to, and in more decided language than before. "Will you do us one favour?" said Mr. Markland, on whose mind suspense was sitting like a nightmare. He spoke to the clerk, who, by this time, was himself growing restless. "Any thing you desire, if it is in my power," was answered. "Will you go down to the post-office, and inquire if Mr. Fenwick has received his letters this morning?" "Certainly, I will." And the clerk went on the errand without a moment's delay. "Mr. Fenwick received his letters over two hours ago," said the young man, on his return. He looked disappointed and perplexed. "And you know nothing of him?" was said. "Nothing, gentlemen, I do assure you. His absence is to me altogether inexplicable." "Where's Fenwick?" was now asked, in an imperative voice, by a new comer. "Not been seen this morning," replied Markland. "Another act in this tragedy! Gone, I suppose, to join his accomplice on the Pacific coast, and share his plunder," said the man, passionately. "You are using very strong language, sir!" suggested one. "Not stronger than the case justifies. For my own assurance, I sent out a secret agent, and I have my first letter from him this morning. He arrived just in time to see our splendid schemes dissolve in smoke. Lyon is a swindler, Fenwick an accomplice, and we a parcel of easy fools. The published intelligence we have to-day is no darker than the truth. The bubble burst by the unexpected seizure of our lands, implements, and improvements, by the--Government. It contained nothing but air! Fenwick and Lyon had just played one of their reserved cards--it had something to do with the flooding of a shaft, which would delay results, and require more capital--when the impatient grantors of the land foreclosed every thing. From the hour this catastrophe became certain, Lyon was no more seen. He was fully prepared for the emergency."