Beyond there in the city was ruin. A great bank which had a branch in Daneford had stopped payment to-day. The three men by the window were talking of that while they awaited the return of the woman. "Dreadful! I am told that the poor Mainwarings are completely ruined by it." "Completely. Fancy old John Musgrave put four thousand pounds into it on deposit this day week. It will kill him. He had sold out Turks, and was going to buy United States." "Poor old fellow! I do pity him." "There was a rumour of one of the local banks being in a bad way. Did either of you hear it?" "Not the Daneford?" "No; Grey is safe. Bless me, his father left him a couple of hundred thousand clear of the business, and he's been making money ever since." "Is it the Weeslade Valley?" "I don't like to say. It is so dangerous to speak. But there _is_ a rumour of a local bank, and it's _not Grey's_." "No. I should think Grey could stand anything. They say it was always Grey's system to keep the money near home. It's a commercial and customers' bank, and not a gad-about among foreign speculations and bubble manufacturers." At that moment Mrs. Grant re-entered the room. The three men turned round and went to her. "I have seen Miss Midharst, and she says she thinks the person most likely to have influence with Sir Alexander is Mr. Grey the banker." "A most excellent man," said Dr. Hardy, turning to the other two. "What do you think?" "Capital!" "No one could be better." Dr. Hardy spoke to Mrs. Grant for the last time on that occasion. "Send a note by express to Mr. Grey, requesting him to come immediately. Explain to him what our views are, and ask him to do his best to induce Sir Alexander to make his will." In less than an hour and a half Mr. Grey received Mrs. Grant's letter. It merely said that his presence was urgently desired at the Castle at once, and that by hurrying he would greatly oblige Sarah Grant. He was in his private room at the Bank when he read the letter. He opened his private black bag. Bank proprietors do not always carry firearms, in fact rarely, almost never. Clerks in charge of money often do. Grey always carried a revolver--now. "He can't have heard of his Consols? In that case he would have written himself or come. What can this be?--so sudden, so urgent, and from Mrs. Grant! Perhaps the failure of the St. George's has frightened him. If he asks me to give up the money now! Ah, I can't face that! No, no! This first," and he took a revolver out of his bag. Again he thought awhile, and ended with a question: "Shall I go to the Island or to----?" He poised the revolver. As he did so there was a knock at the door. CHAPTER VII. TRUSTEE TO CANCELLED PAGES. "Come in," said the banker mechanically, and his mother entered. With a start Mr. Grey's mother cried out "Henry!" then crossed the room hastily, and, putting her hand on his arm, looked up into his face with alarm.