Both Potts and Clark now waited eagerly for the return of John. He was expected before the next day. He ought to be in by midnight. After waiting impatiently for hours they at length drove out to see if they could find him. About twelve miles from Brandon they met him at midnight with a team of horses and a number of men, all of whom were armed. “Have you got it?” “Yes,” said John, “what there is of it.” “What do you mean by that?” “I’m too tired to explain. Wait till we get home.” It was four o’clock in the morning before they reached the bank. The gold was taken out and deposited in the vaults, and the three went up to the Hall. They brought out brandy and refreshed themselves, after which John remarked, in his usual laconic style, “You’ve been and gone and done it.” “What?” asked Potts, somewhat puzzled. “With your speculations in stocks.” “What about them?” “Nothing,” said John, “only they happen to be at a small discount.” “A discount?” “Slightly.” Potts was silent. “How much?” asked Clark. “I have a statement here,” said John. “When I got to London, I saw the broker. He said that American stocks, particularly those which I held, had undergone a great depreciation. He assured me that it was only temporary, that the dividends which these stocks paid were enough to raise them in a short time, perhaps in a few weeks, and that it was madness to sell out now. He declared that it would ruin the credit of the Brandon Bank if it were known that we sold out at such a fearful sacrifice, and advised me to raise the money at a less cost. “Well, I could only think of Smithers & Co. I went to their office. They were all away. I saw one of the clerks who said they had gone to see about some Russian loan or other, so there was nothing to do but to go back to the broker. He assured me again that it was an unheard of sacrifice; that these very stocks which I held had fallen terribly, he knew not how, and advised me to do any thing rather than make such a sacrifice. But I could do nothing. Gold was what I wanted, and since Smithers & Co. were away this was the only way to get it.” “Well!” cried Potts, eagerly. “Did you get it?” “You saw that I got it. I sold out at a cost that is next to ruin.” “What is it?” “Well,” said John, “I will give you the statement of the broker,” and he drew from his pocket a paper which he handed to the others. They looked at it eagerly. It was as follows: 100 shares California @ £1000 each. 65 per cent, discount........................£35,000 50 shares Mexican. 75 per cent, discount 12,500 50 shares Guatemala. 80 per cent, dis- count ................................ 10,000 50 shares Venezuela. 80 per cent discount 10,000 ------- £67,000 The faces of Potts and Clark grew black as night as they read this. A deep execration burst from Potts. Clark leaned back in his chair.