Retreating to a position directly beneath the cluster of electric lights, Britz read the letter.

It was dated the previous day and was as follows: "_Dear Whitmore_: Mr.Beard has informed me that I may communicate with you through him.

For nearly six weeks I have waited anxiously for your return, but I am in such sore straits that I can no longer delay communicating with you.
"I require for use in my business the sum of one million, two hundred thousand dollars.

Unless I am able to obtain the money at once, I am ruined.

Were I the only one to suffer by the crash I should not mind.