A little earlier than usual next morning Trent was at his office in the City,prepared for the worst,and in less than half an hour he found himself face to face with one of those crises known to most great financiers at some time or other during their lives.His credit was not actually assailed,but it was suspended.The general public did not understand the situation,even those who were in a measure behind the scenes found it hard to believe that the attack upon the Bekwando Gold and Land shares was purely a personal one.
For it was Da Souza who had fired the train,who had flung his large holding of shares upon the market,and,finding them promptly taken up,had gone about with many pious exclamations of thankfulness and sinister remarks.Many smaller holders followed suit,and yet never for a moment did the market waver.Gradually it leaked out that Scarlett Trent was the buyer,and public interest leaped up at once.
Would Trent be able to face settling-day without putting his vast holdings upon the market?If so the bulls were going to have the worst knock they had had for years -and yet -and yet -the murmur went round from friend to friend -"Sell your Bekwandos."At midday there came an urgent message from Trent's bankers,and as he read it he cursed.It was short but eloquent.
"DEAR SIR,-We notice that your account to-day stands 119,000pounds overdrawn,against which we hold as collateral security shares in the Bekwando Land Company to the value of 150,000pounds.As we have received certain very disquieting information concerning the value of these shares,we must ask you to adjust the account before closing hours to-day,or we shall be compelled to place the shares upon the market.
"Yours truly,"A.SINCLAIR,General Manager."Trent tore the letter into atoms,but he never quailed.Telegraph and telephone worked his will,he saw all callers,a cigar in his mouth and flower in his buttonhole,perfectly at his ease,sanguine and confident.A few minutes before closing time he strolled into the bank and no one noticed a great bead of perspiration which stood out upon his forehead.He made out a credit slip for 119,000pounds,and,passing it across the counter with a roll of notes and cheques,asked for his shares.
They sent for the manager.Trent was ushered with much ceremony into his private room.The manager was flushed and nervous.
"I am afraid you must have misunderstood my note,Mr.Trent,"he stammered.But Trent,remembering all that he had gone through to raise the money,stopped him short.
"This is not a friendly call,Mr.Sinclair,"he said,"but simply a matter of business.I wish to clear my account with you to the last halfpenny,and I will take my shares away with me.I have paid in the amount I owe.Let one of your clerks make out the interest account."The manager rang the bell for the key of the security safe.He opened it and took out the shares with fingers which trembled a good deal.
"Did I understand you,Mr.Trent,that you desired to absolutely close the account?"he asked.
"Most decidedly,"Trent answered.
"We shall be very sorry to lose you."
"The sorrow will be all on your side,then,"Trent answered grimly.
"You have done your best to ruin me,you and that blackguard Da Souza,who brought me here.If you had succeeded in lumping those shares upon the market to-day or to-morrow,you know very well what the result would have been.I don't know whose game you have been playing,but I can guess!""I can assure you,Mr.Trent,"the manager declared in his suavest and most professional manner,"that you are acting under a complete misapprehension.I will admit that our notice was a little short.
