In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

Little (1)_______ a year ago, Rama Rao went out of work when a gramophone company, of which he was the Malgudi agent, went out of existence. He had put into that agency the little money he had (2)______ as security. For five years his business brought him (3)______ money, just enough to help him keep his wife and children in good comfort. And one day, it was (4)_______. A series of (5)_______ in the world of trade, commerce, banking, and politics was responsible for it.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.