Gurth went up and peered over to read the contents bill that was exciting so much attention.
‘What is it?’ asked Marston. ‘A murder or a robbery?’
‘It will turn out both, I dare say,’ said Egerton. ‘The Great Blankshire Bank has stopped payment.’
‘Oh!’ said Marston; ‘I don’t know much about commercial matters. Is there anything special about the circumstances?’
‘No! only it is unlimited, and the shareholders will be beggars. The liabilities are immense.’
‘Poor devils!’ exclaimed Marston. ‘I’m sorry for ‘em; but, as I’m not a shareholder, it doesn’t interest me.’
Edward Marston spoke as he believed. He little knew that the failure of the Great Blankshire Bank was to interest him very much indeed.
CHAPTER XLII.
A DUEL OF WORDS.
Gurth Egerton and Edward Marston sat opposite each other in the same room where a few days previously, Gurth had entertained the Adrians.
Ruth had told Marston of the visit, and as he glanced round the cosily furnished apartment he fancied he could see her at the head of the table, and Gurth smiling complacently to himself at the victory he imagined he was gaining over an absent rival.