The Poisonous Seed: A Frances Doughty Mystery (The Frances Doughty Mysteries) by Stratmann Linda

The Poisonous Seed: A Frances Doughty Mystery (The Frances Doughty Mysteries) by Stratmann Linda

Author:Stratmann, Linda [Stratmann, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2011-04-10T16:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER TWELVE

Is this something to do with the Bayswater Bank?’ asked Frances, faintly. For a moment she feared that, unknown to her, the Doughtys’ business funds had been transferred there, in which case the bank’s collapse would have had disastrous consequences.

He frowned. ‘No.’

She breathed easily again. ‘I am relieved to hear it. The constable told me there have been dreadful scenes outside the bank today, which has closed its doors. Many people are ruined. But I know we did not have an account there.’

Cornelius sighed. ‘You might just as well have done.’

Again, she felt a chill of fear. ‘Whatever do you mean?’

He shook his head in despair. ‘There is no easy way to tell you. As you know, I have been trying to arrive at the value of your father’s estate by examining his bank accounts. He has always been a careful man, and it seems that only a year ago there were several thousand pounds in the safest of investments. Today – and I am grieved to say it – there is almost nothing. It has all gone.’ He turned his head away. He was unable to look into her eyes.

Frances stared at him. ‘I don’t understand. Gone? But where can it have gone? And how? Surely there has been a mistake. Uncle, you must go to the bank and make enquiries. He may only have placed the money in another account.’

‘No, Frances,’ he groaned, ‘I am afraid there can be no mistaking what has occurred. It appears that your father was tempted into making some very unwise investments. By whom I cannot say. He began to withdraw funds, in small amounts at first and then greater, sometimes several hundred pounds at a time. It seems that the heavier his losses the more he withdrew to try and recover them, but as is so often the case with these things, his position became increasingly desperate. He threw good money after bad, as the saying goes. The stockbroker’s accounts have told me the whole tale, and it is a very sad one.’

Frances felt hope draining away, leaving only a cold sensation in her stomach. ‘And there is nothing at all?’

He gestured, helplessly. ‘I think one account may have fifty pounds in it.’

There was a long silence. At first Frances thought she had become incapable of any emotion, as if she had been suddenly and sharply struck upon the head, and was sitting there in an icy and unfeeling trance. Then, just as suddenly, a jumbled mass of feelings began to flood though her mind – anger, despair, bewilderment, and a sudden insane desire to laugh hysterically. She realised that Cornelius was speaking to her. ‘My dear, I pray you will calm yourself. It is a hard thing to bear, but I promise I will assist you in any way I can, and I know Maude will do her duty by you.’

The mention of her aunt was like a dash of cold water that restored her thoughts. At the back of



Download



Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.