When they saw me, they fell back behind my managing man, who stepped forward with a circular in his hand.
"Have you heard the news, sir ?" he said.
"No.

What is it ?" He handed me the circular.

My heart gave one violent throb the instant I looked at it.

I felt myself turn pale; I felt my knees trembling under me.
Marsh, Stracey, Fauntleroy & Graham had stopped payment.
"The circular has not been issued more than half an hour," continued my managing clerk.

"I have just come from the bank, sir.