"Who?" cried Ladds eagerly.
"Mr. Gabriel Cassilis, the great English financier."
"He is ruined," said Ladds. "He has failed for two millions sterling. If your money is in his hands——"
"Part of it, I believe, was in Eldorado Stock."
"The Eldoradians cannot pay their interest. And the stock has sunk to nothing. Gabriel Cassilis has lost all my money in it—at least, I have lost it on his recommendation."
"Your money all gone, Tommy?" cried Jack.
"All, Jack—Ladds' Aromatic Cocoa—Fragrant—Nutritious—no use now—business sold twenty years ago. Proceeds sunk in Eldorado Stock. Nothing but the smell left."
And while they were gazing in each other's face with mute bewilderment, a third messenger arrived with a letter.
It was from Mr. Mowll the secretary. It informed poor Gilead that Mr. Gabriel Cassilis had drawn, in accordance with his power of attorney, upon him to the following extent. A bewildering mass of figures followed, at the bottom of which was the total—Gilead Beck's two million dollars. That, further, Gabriel Cassilis, always, it appeared, acting on the wishes of Mr. Beck, had invested the whole sum in Eldorado Stock. That, &c. He threw the letter on the table half unread. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he rose solemnly, and sought the corner of the room in which stood the safe containing the Emblem of his Luck. He opened it, and took out the box of glass and gold which held it. This was covered with a case of green leather. He carried it to the table. They all crowded round while he raised the leathern cover and displayed the Butterfly.
"Has any one," he lifted his head and looked helplessly round,—"has any one felt an airthquake?"