The only call he made that day was at his banker's, where he was told all, and there is no reason to doubt that the shock produced the stroke from which he died." "Mr Richmond," said Mrs Cruden, after a while, like one in a dream, "can this be true?
What _does_ it all mean ?" "Alas! madam," said the lawyer, "it would be no kindness on my part to deny the truth of what I have told you.

It means that unless you or your late husband are possessed of some means of income of which I know nothing, your circumstances are reduced to a very low point." "But there must be some mistake," said Horace.

"_Both_ railways can't have gone wrong; we shall surely save something ?" "I wish I could hold out any hope.

I have all the documents at my office, and shall be only too glad, Mrs Cruden, to accompany you to the bank for your own satisfaction." Mrs Cruden shuddered and struggled bravely to keep down the rising tears.

A long pause ensued, every moment of which made the terrible truth clearer to all three of the hearers, and closed every loophole of hope.
"What can be done ?" said Horace at last.
"Happily there is Garden Vale," said Reginald, and there was a choking in the throat of the heir as he spoke; "we shall have to sell it." "The contents of it, you will, Master Cruden," said the lawyer; "the estate itself is held on lease." "Well, the contents of it," said Reginald, bitterly; "you are not going to make out they don't belong to us ?" "Certainly not," said Mr Richmond, on whom the taunt was quite lost; "unless, as I trust is not the case, your father died in debt." "Do you mean to say," said Horace, slowly, like one waking from a dream, "do you mean to say we are ruined, Mr Richmond ?" "I fear it is so," said the lawyer, "unless Mr Cruden was possessed of some means of income with which I was not acquainted.