guaranteed the sixteen thousand for Bristol; but the second time I
lost. So it has gone on; all these last weeks I have been
speculating, winning and losing. Last Tuesday, when I came to see
you, I had about twelve thousand, and hoped somehow to make up the
deficiency. As the devil would have it, that same morning I met a
City acquaintance, who spoke of a great _coup_ to be made by any one
who had some fifteen thousand at command. It meant an immediate
profit of 25 per cent. Like a fool, I was persuaded--as you will
see when I go into details, the thing looked horribly tempting. I
put it all--every penny that lay at our bank in the name of
Sherwood Bros. And now I learn that the house I trusted has smashed.
It's in the papers this evening--Biggles, Thorpe and Biggles--
you'll see it. I dare not ask you to forgive me. Of course I shall
at once take steps to raise the money owing to you, and hope to be
able to do that soon, but it's all over with the Bristol affair. I
shall come to see you at twelve to-morrow.

"Yours,

"G. F. SHERWOOD."





CHAPTER 15