"Dinner is ready, sir," said Elkington's voice behind him.
"Elkington."
"Yes, sir."
"What became of that telegram?"
"It's here, sir, somewhere on the writing-table; I put it there myself. Oh, here it is under this letter-weight. I'm afraid it's bad news, sir; you'll excuse my having read it, but it was lying open on the floor."
Captain Fortescue took the pink paper, opened it, and held it to the light.
It contained these words:
"Mine flooded—all lost—utter ruin."
"What does that mean, Elkington? My father never told me any of his business affairs. Had he money in a mining company?"
"I believe so, sir; I'm afraid so. I think he must have lost heavily, and I think, too, he must have feared bad news this morning, he turned so white when I brought the telegram in."