I had wealth; why should I not take it and enjoy life?
Also--and here my business acumen came in, I was sure that these times could not last.

It is easy to make money on a rising market, but when it is falling the matter is very different.

In five minutes I made up my mind.

I sent for my junior partners, for I had taken in two, and told them that I intended to retire at once.

They were dismayed both at my loss, for really I was the firm, and because, as they pointed out, if I withdrew all my capital, there would not be sufficient left to enable them to carry on.
One of them, a blunt and honest man, said to my face that it would be dishonourable of me to do so.