He would ask,
among other things, why Mr. Duncan had not informed him
of the loss by cable, and no satisfactory explanation could
be given. He would ask, furthermore, why detectives had not
been employed to ferret out the mystery, and here again no
satisfactory explanation could be given. Prince Duncan knew
very well that he had a reason, but it was not one that could
be disclosed.
He next read the second letter, and his trouble was not diminished.
It was from a Wall Street broker, informing him that the Erie
shares bought for him on a margin had gone down two points,
and it would be necessary for him to deposit additional margin,
or be sold out.
"Why did I ever invest in Erie?" thought Duncan ruefully.
"I was confidently assured that it would go up--that it must go
up--and here it is falling, and Heaven knows how much lower
it will go."
At this point the door opened, and Randolph entered. He had
a special favor to ask. He had already given his father several
hints that he would like a gold watch, being quite dissatisfied with
his silver watch now that Luke Larkin possessed one superior to his.
He had chosen a very unfavorable moment for his request,
as he soon found out.
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