He hung up his hat and coat, and went into the drawing-room.
“What is it, Allan?” she cried again.
“Lucy, do you know where Stanley Ryder is?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered, and added quickly, “Oh! it's some bad news!”
“It is,” said he. “He must be found at once.”
She stared at him for a moment, hesitating; then, her anxiety overcoming every other emotion, she said, “He is in the next room.”
“Call him,” said Montague.
Lucy ran to the door. “Come in. Quickly!” she called, and Ryder appeared.
Montague saw that he was very pale; and there was nothing left of his air of aristocratic serenity.
“Mr. Ryder,” he began, “I have just come into possession of some news which concerns you very closely. I felt that you ought to know. There is to be a directors' meeting to-morrow morning, at which it is to be decided that the bank which clears for the Gotham Trust Company will discontinue to do it.”