All his life he had reckoned, as a matter of course, that when his father passed away he would be left almost a millionaire.

A single half-hour's conversation had shattered this delusion and left him face to face with ruin.

He lost his sleep and became restless and hollow-eyed.

Once or twice he was seen the worse for drink in the daytime.
He was a man of strong character, however, and though somewhat demoralized by the sudden shock, he threw away no point in the game which he and his father were playing.

He saw clearly that only a bold stroke could save them.