The populace from all the country round was flocking into the town for the fair, three fourths of whom did business with the Old Bank.

No wonder that a panic took possession of them.

In an hour's time the tranquil street was thronged with a dense mass of town's-people and country-people, numbers of whom were fighting their way to the bank as if for dear life.

There was not room within for the crowds who struggled to get to the counters and present their checks and bank-notes, and demand instant settlement of their accounts.

In vain Mr.Clifford assured them there was no fear of the firm being unable to meet its liabilities.