Mr. Moss groaned "I wish you had it safely tied up in consols. Is all your money there?"
"Every shilling. The only investments I have not realised are the shares I hold in the bank."
"That makes it all the worse. The shareholders are liable to the depositors?"
"Certainly--to the extent of the unpaid portion of their shares. Perhaps beyond that--I am not quite sure."
The flush had died out of Mr. Moss's face, which was now white with apprehension. "They're calling it out in the streets; but here's the paper."
He pointed to a paragraph, which stated that one of the largest banks in the City had closed its doors half an hour before its time, and that the panic had in consequence reached an alarming height.
"There is no name mentioned, Mr. Moss."
"No, Cohen, no; but I passed through the City on my way here, and the name of the bank was on every one's lips. If your bank stops payment tomorrow how will you stand?"
"If it stops payment for sufficient cause," said Aaron, in a steady voice, "I shall be a ruined man."
"Good heavens! And you can speak of it so calmly!"