He left Brantholme the next morning and was received by Ethel when he arrived at Wests'.
"We have been expecting you," she said cordially.
"Then you know?"
"Yes. I'm very sorry; but I suppose it will hardly bear talking about.
Stephen is waiting for you; he's taking a day off and Edgar's friend,
Singleton, arrives to-night."
Singleton duly made his appearance, but he was not present when George and Stephen West sat down for a talk after dinner in the latter's smoking-room. Presently George took out the statement and handed it to his host.
"I want advice badly and I can't go to an outsider for it," he said.
"I feel quite safe in confiding in you."
West studied the document for a while before he looked up.
"The main point to be decided is—whether you should sell these shares at once for what they will bring, or wait a little? With your permission, we'll ask Singleton; he knows more about the matter than anybody else."
Singleton came in and lighted a cigar, and then listened carefully, with a curious little smile, while West supplied a few explanations.
"Hold on to these shares, even if you have to make a sacrifice to do so," he advised.