They've shut him up, and
I understand that it's a bad business all around--may not pay twenty
cents on the dollar. Meanwhile we're out of a job, and they do say the
store may never go on again."
Dick looked surprised, as though he were hearing news; for it was hardly
policy to let it be known that the failure of Archibald Graylock had
been discounted at the bank for several days.
He stood around talking for a short time, until he was nearly due at the
bank, and then hastened to his work.
If anything it seemed even more depressing there than on the street.
The atmosphere was so dense that lights were actually needed in the
bookkeeping department in order that business might go on unimpeded;
while the employees kept their heads bent down over their work, and not
one had a smile to spare.
Indeed, it seemed to Dick as if every one purposely avoided saying good
morning to him as usual, though the chances were his imagination
deceived him there.
The truth was every one felt a weight resting upon his shoulders.
A calamity had befallen the bank in the loss of the securities, and
until this mystery was made clear suspicion must attach to every man in
Mr. Gibbs' employ.
Already the president was in his room, a most unprecedented occurrence
at this early hour, and from time to time other gentlemen gathered
there, so that it was evident that to a limited extent the bank was
bound to feel the fall of the leading merchant of the town, having
doubtless granted Mr.
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