I sank back in my chair overcome.

Then some good fellow in the audience, who had lost money himself in the affair and whom I scarcely knew, got up and made a noble speech which went far to restore my belief in human nature.
He said in effect that it was well known that I, Allan Quatermain, after working like a horse in the interests of the shareholders, had practically ruined myself over this enterprise, and that the real thief was Jacob, who had made tracks for the Cape, taking with him a large cash profit resulting from the sale of shares.

Finally he concluded by calling for "three cheers for our honest friend and fellow sufferer, Mr.
Allan Quatermain." Strange to say the audience gave them very heartily indeed.

I thanked them with tears in my eyes, saying that I was glad to leave the room as poor as I had ever been, but with a reputation which my conscience as well as their kindness assured me was quite unblemished.
Thus the winding-up resolution was passed and that meeting came to an end.

After shaking hands with my deliverer from a most unpleasant situation, I walked homewards with the lightest heart in the world.