There was a feeble ray of light in his mind, as the thought of selling out his entire interest in the business, at a most desperate sacrifice, grew more and more distinct.  One or two members of the Board of Direction had, during the evening’s discussion, expressed strong doubts as to the truth of the charge brought against Mr. Lyon.  The flooding of the shaft was not, they thought, unlikely, and it might, seriously delay operations; but they were unwilling to believe affairs to be in the hopeless condition some were disposed to think.  Here was a straw at which the drowning man caught.  He would call upon one of these individuals in the morning, and offer his whole interest at a tempting reduction.  Relieved at this thought, Mr. Markland could retire for the night; and he even slept soundly.  On awaking in the morning, the conclusion of the previous night was reviewed.  There were some natural regrets at the thought of giving up, by a single act, three-fourths of his whole fortune; but, like the mariner whose ship was sinking, there was no time to hesitate on the question of sacrificing the rich cargo.

“Yes—­yes,” he said within himself, “I will be content with certainty.  Suspense like the present is not to be endured.”

And so he made preparations to call upon a certain broker in Wall street, who had expressed most confidence in Lyon, and offer to sell him out his whole interest.  He had taken breakfast, and was about leaving the hotel, when, in passing the reading-room, it occurred to him to glance over the morning papers.  So he stepped in for that purpose.

Almost the first thing that arrested his attention was the announcement of an arrival, and news from Central America.  “BURSTING OF A MAGNIFICENT BUBBLE—­FLIGHT OF A DEFAULTING AGENT.”—­were the next words that startled him.  He read on: 

“The Government of—­has seized upon all that immense tract of land, reported to be so rich in mineral wealth, which was granted some two years ago to the—­Company.  A confidential agent of this company, to whom, it is reported, immense sums of money were intrusted, and who failed to pay over the amounts due on the purchase, has disappeared, and, it is thought, passed over to the Pacific.  He is believed to have defrauded the company out of nearly half a million of dollars.”

“So dies a splendid scheme,” was the editorial remark in the New York paper.  “Certain parties in this city are largely interested in the Company, and have made investments of several hundred thousand dollars.  More than one of these, it is thought, will be ruined by the catastrophe.  Another lesson to the too eager and over-credulous money-seeker!  They will not receive a very large share of public sympathy.”

Mr. Markland read to the end, and then staggered back into a chair, where he remained for many minutes, before he had the will or strength to rise.  He then went forth hastily, and repaired to the office of Mr. Fenwick.  Several members of the Company, who had seen the announcement in the morning papers, were there, some pale with consternation, and some strongly excited.  The agent had not yet arrived.  The clerk in the office could answer no questions satisfactorily.  He had not seen Mr. Fenwick since the evening previous.