Lucian could not quite realise what this letter meant; he said nothing to Haidee of it, but after breakfast next morning he drove to the bank and asked to see the manager. Once closeted with that gentleman in his private room he drew out the letter and laid it on the desk at which the manager sat.
‘I don’t quite understand this letter,’ he said. ‘Would you mind explaining it to me?’
The manager smiled.
‘It seems quite plain, I think,’ he said pleasantly. ‘It means that your account is overdrawn to the amount of £187, 10s. 0d.’
Lucian sat down and stared at him.
‘Does that mean that I have exhausted all the money I placed in your hands, and have drawn on you for £187, 10s. 0d. in addition?’ he asked.
‘Precisely, Mr. Damerel,’ answered the manager. ‘Your balance yesterday morning was about £820, and you drew a cheque in favour of Mr. Pepperdine for £1000. That, of course, puts you in our debt.’
Lucian stared harder than ever.
‘You’re quite sure there is no mistake?’ he said.
The manager smiled.