My fellow-merchants had got all the particulars of the arrest.

They told me that two of Mr.
Fauntleroy's fellow-trustees had come up to London to make arrangements about selling out some stock.

On inquiring for Mr.Fauntleroy at the banking-house, they had been informed that he was not there; and, after leaving a message for him, they had gone into the City to make an appointment with their stockbroker for a future day, when their fellow-trustee might be able to attend.

The stock-broker volunteered to make certain business inquiries on the spot, with a view to saving as much time as possible, and left them at his office to await his return.
He came back, looking very much amazed, with the information that the stock had been sold out down to the last five hundred pounds.

The affair was instantly investigated; the document authorizing the selling out was produced; and the two trustees saw on it, side by side with Mr.
Fauntleroy's signature, the forged signatures of their own names.