from the diggin's by the dear boy makes the sum in my hands up to two
thousand pounds. I'll go to town to-day and give it to Mr Wilkins to
invest as usual."

"Very weel, John," replied Mrs Jack, "but it's been runnin' in my mind
that it's no that safe to pit a' yer eggs in the same basket. Maybe ye
might invest it in somethin' else."

"That's true, Maggie, we shall see," said Mr Jack, who was at all times
a man of few words. As Dobbin became at the moment clamorous for more
food, nothing further was said on the subject.

Arrived in the city, John Jack made his way to the office of Mr
Wilkins. He found that gentleman with an expression of unwonted
resignation on his countenance.

"I've brought you more money to invest, Mr Wilkins," said John Jack,
sitting down after wiping his forehead, and producing a fat pocketbook;
"I thought of doin' it in the old way, but my wife and I have been
thinkin' that perhaps it might be wise to put some of the eggs in
another basket."

A very sad and peculiar smile flitted for a moment across Mr Wilkins's
face. "It is plain that you have not heard of the disastrous failure,"
he said. "Only last week the Blankow Bank suspended payment, and if the
reports as to its liabilities be true, the result will be widespread
ruin throughout the country."

"Do you mean to say that the Bank has failed?" asked Mr Jack,
anxiously.

"Yes, and it is feared that most of the shareholders will be ruined. I
am one, you know."

"Will _you_ be ruined, Mr Wilkins?"

"I fear that the first call will be more than I can meet. I trust that
you are not personally involved."

"No, thank God, I'm not," said Mr Jack, with an increasingly anxious
look. "But tell me, Mr Wilkins--for I don't understand banking matters
very well--is my son's money all gone?"

"All," returned Mr Wilkins sadly, "and all that my own son has
invested, as well as that of his friends!"

"How was it, sir," asked Mr Jack, in a reproachful tone, "that you were
so confident in recommending the investment?"

"Because I thoroughly believed in the soundness of the bank and in the
character of its directors. Investing my own funds so largely in its
stock proves how I trusted it. But I was mistaken. It is a mystery
which I cannot solve. Perhaps, when the examination of its affairs is
completed, light may be thrown on the subject. I hope that no more of
your relations or friends have stock in it?"

"None that I know of, except