"
It was a bold speech, and Clyde was doubtful how it would be received.
But it did not bring out the angry storm that might have been expected.
Instead, Mr. Ellis merely rose from his chair and began to pace the
floor uneasily. He put his hand to his heart as if there was pain there
that he wished to stifle. His steps were unsteady.
Meanwhile Ray looked on in perfect astonishment. He stared at his
brother, then followed his uncle with open-mouthed wonder.
[Illustration:
CLYDE DREW A CHAIR UP TO THE TABLE AND SAT DOWN.
"NOW," SAID THE BROKER, "GO ON."]
"You have discovered _that_, have you?" said the latter, pausing for a
moment before the chair in which Clyde was sitting. "May I ask how such
a sum could be missing?"
"When a man speculates in wheat, and buys for a rise in price, and the
price suddenly falls, he loses money, sometimes as much as ten thousand
dollars."
Uncle Ellis staggered into his chair, and sat there nervously clutching
at the arms on both sides.
"Do you dare to charge me with losing in speculation ten thousand
dollars that do not belong to me?" he gasped.
Pages:
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144