'After two days Probus came again to the counting-house. Mr. Matthew was sober.
'"Probus," he said, "I told you the other day when I was drunk what I should have kept from you if I was sober. However, now you know what I told you was the truth."
'"Is it all true?"
'"It is all true. Everything is gone."
'"But how—how—how?" I heard his lamentable cry and I could imagine his arm waving about.
'"This way and that way. Enough that it is all gone."
'"Mr. Matthew," I think he sat down because he groaned—which a man cannot do properly—that is to say movingly, unless he is sitting—"I have been thinking—Good God! of what else could I think? You can keep yourself afloat for three months more, you say—Heavens! Halliday Brothers to go in three months! And my money! Where—where—where has it gone?"
'"In about three months—or may be sooner, the end must come."
'"Mr. Matthew," he lowered his voice, "there is one chance left—one chance—I may get back my money—by that one chance."
'"What chance? The money is all gone."