But the time was not far distant when I should have occasion to reproach myself bitterly for having been so explicit and emphatic.
"My uncle's condition," Walter resumed after a pause, "is a pretty miserable one at present, with this horrible affair added to his own personal worries." "Has he any special trouble besides this, then ?" I asked.
"Why, haven't you heard?
I thought you knew about it, or I shouldn't have spoken--not that it is in any way a secret, seeing that it is public property in the city.

The fact is that his financial affairs are a little entangled just now." "Indeed!" I exclaimed, considerably startled by this new development.
"Yes, things have taken a rather awkward turn, though I think he will pull through all right.

It is the usual thing, you know--investments, or perhaps one should say speculations.

He appears to have sunk a lot of capital in mines--thought he was 'in the know,' not unnaturally; but it seems he wasn't after all, and the things have gone wrong, leaving him with a deal more money than he can afford locked up and the possibility of a dead loss if they don't revive.

Then there are these infernal diamonds.