"Not at all, Mr. Graylock, not at all. If you will take the trouble to
cast your eye over these you will find they are all here save one for a
small figure, which somehow was offered for sale in Boston lately, I
believe you said," and as he spoke the president tossed a little package
upon the directors' table, upon which the eyes of the broken-down
merchant were instantly glued with incredulity and horror.
His crime had arisen like a ghost of the past to confront him.
CHAPTER XXV
CONCLUSION
Mr. Graylock half rose from his chair, and bent low over the table to
stare at the documents; then as if unable to believe that his sight told
him the truth he dug his knuckles into his eyes and stared again.
Every eye was fastened upon him, and he seemed to realize that his sin
had indeed found him out, for finally with a groan that welled up from
the depths of his tortured heart he fell back into his chair.
Then he heard the clear voice of the president saying:
"We all deserve to be congratulated, Mr. Graylock--the bank, at the
recovery of the valuable papers entrusted to its care; and you, sir,
because your good name has been saved, and your creditors will receive
all that your estate will produce. It is a great thing to be able to
look your friends and neighbors in the face, Mr. Graylock, when such a
misfortune overtakes a man in business, although every one may not think
so.
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