"What do you mean?"
"Plain enough. The banks suspend paying specie because they haven't any to redeem their bills; and Fletcher, because he has neither specie nor bills."
"Fletcher suspended?"
"Yes, sus. per coll., as the Newgate records have it,—hung himself with his handkerchief,—an article he might have put to better use."
And Easelmann blew a vigorous blast with his, as he laid down the pipe.
"You understand, choking is disagreeable,—painful, in fact,—and, if indulged in long enough, is apt to produce unpleasant effects. Remember, I once warned you against it."
"This matter of suicide is horrible. Couldn't it have been prevented?"
"Yes, if Fletcher could have got hold of Bullion."
"Coin would have done as well, I suppose."
"Now haven't I been successful in diverting your attention? You have actually punned. Don't you know Mr. Bullion, the capitalist?"