‘TERRIBLE COMMERCIAL DISASTER.
FAILURE OF THE GREAT BLANKSHIRE BANK.
ENORMOUS LIABILITIES.’
John Adrian read the fatal words. The heading was enough. He had no need to read the details that followed.
The letters swam before his eyes; a faint, sick feeling seized him, and with a groan he reeled forward.
‘Father!’
Ruth had noticed her father’s strange look as he left the sitting-room, and had followed him.
She ran forward and caught him in her arms, or he would have fallen.
‘Father, you are ill? she eried. ‘What is it? Let me send for a doctor!’
John Adrian had recovered the first shook, and had steadied himself.