A firm of brokers; unfortunate speculations; failure of another house--all the old story.

As likely as not, the financial trick of a cluster of thieves.

Will threw the paper aside.

He had always scorned that cunning of the Stock Exchange, now he thought of it with fiery hatred.
Another hour passed in feverish waiting; then, just at mid-day, a knock sounded at the outer door.

Anything but a loud knock; anything but the confident summons of a friend.