"That would be a long affair," said Brett, "though I know a great deal about it. But I do not know all, though the situation is simple enough and bad enough. In spite of the large earnings of the Company, the finances are in a rotten state and it is said that there are large sums not accounted for. An inquiry has been going on for some time, and was, I believe, closed last night, but the result will not be known until this afternoon."
"What sort of an inquiry?" asked Mrs. Darche, anxiously.
"The regular examination of the books and of all the details which have gone through the hands of your father-in-law and your husband."
"My father-in-law! Do you mean to say that they are trying to implicate the old gentleman too?"
Marion's face expressed the utmost concern.
"As president of the Company, he cannot fail to be implicated."
"But he is no more responsible for what he does than a child!" cried Mrs. Darche, in a tone of protestation.
"I know that, but he is nominally at the head of the administration. That is all you need know. The rest is merely a mass of figures with an account of tricks and manipulations which you could not understand."
"And what would happen if—if—"
She leaned towards him unconsciously, watching his lips to catch the answer.