He raised his white head, the head that had grown gray in the employ of the firm he had loved so well and served so faithfully.
"You must know the truth, my fellows," he answered, slowly, huskily, and with apparent difficulty.

"Our Mr.Armstrong has, for the first time since we have all known him, gone wrong; he is under the influence of strong drink, and by no means himself.

I may add that I earnestly pray that each of you be loyal to him, even through this misfortune, and not let even a hint of it go forth to the outside world, for at this crisis it would ruin the well-known firm of Marsh & Co., which is now vested in him." The horror and amazement on the faces of the men can better be imagined than described.

All had loved and revered Lester Armstrong, and to hear that he had suddenly gone wrong because he had become possessed of a fortune was alarming and distressing news to them.
"Drink changes him so completely in temperament that it is hard to realize that he is the same courteous companion of those other days.

He was so far gone from the effects of liquor I am not even sure that he recognized me.