of hatred in his eyes, a
note of despair in his exclamation.
"They are strong men, those two," he muttered. "They can stand more than
I can. I demand my freedom."
Wingate threw himself into an easy-chair.
"Endurance," he observed, "is largely a matter of nerves. You must make
this a test. If you fail, well, your release always rests with your two
friends. I am sure they will not see you suffer unduly."
Phipps leaned a little across the table.
"We shall suffer," he said hoarsely, "but it will be for hours. With you,
Wingate, it will be a matter of years! Our turn will come when we visit
you in prison. Damn you!"
CHAPTER XXI
In the Board room of the British and Imperial Granaries, Limited, were
four vacant chairs and four unoccupied desks, each of the latter piled
with a mass of letters. Outside was disquietude, in the street almost a
riot. Callers were compelled to form themselves into a queue,--and left
with scanty comfort. Wingate, by what seemed to be special favour, was
passed through the little throng and ushered by Harrison himself into the
deserted Board room.
"So you have no news of any of your directors, Harrison?" the
former observed.
"None whatever, sir."
The two men exchanged long and in a way searching glances. Harrison was,
as always, the lank and cadaverous nonentity, the man of negative
suspicions and infinite reserves. His eyes were fixed upon the carpet. He
was a study in passivity.
"What happens to the business, eh--to your big operations?"
Wingate enquired.
"The business suffers to some extent, of course," Harrison admitted.
"Your banking arrangements?"
"I have limited powers of signature. So far the bank has been lenient."
"I see," Wingate ruminated,--and waited.
"The general policy of the firm is, as you are aware, to buy," Harrison
continued thoughtfully. "That policy has naturally been suspended during
the last forty-eight hours. There are rumours, too, of a large shipment
of wheat from an unexpected source, by some steamers which we had failed
to take account of. Prices are dropping every hour."
"Materially?"
The confidential clerk shook his head.
"Only by points and fractions. The market is never sure of our
principals. Sometimes when they have bought, most largely they have
remained inactive for a few days beforehand, on purpose to depress
prices."
"Do people believe in--their disappearance?"
"Not down here--in the City, I mean," Harris
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