Corporal Cameron

of mind as reflecting upon his legal and other acumen. Angry, too, he was because he had been forced to accept, the previous day, a favour from a firm-Mr. Rae would not c

ation of an ancient and honourable profession. This uncompromising attitude toward the commercialising spirit of the age had doubtless something to do with their losing the solicitorship for the Bank of Scotland, which went to the firm of Thomlinson & Shields, to Mr. Rae's keen, though unacknowledged, disappointment; a disappointment that arose not so much from the loss of the very honourable and lucrative appointment, and more from the fact that the appointment should go to such a firm as that

somewhat dingy and dusty office, "I would let him swither. But Cameron! I must see to it and at once." Behind the name there rose before Mr. Rae's imagination a long line of

ron at his lodgings, and had brought back the word that for a week he had not been seen there. "He must be found. They have given me till to-morrow. I cannot ask a further stay of proceedings; I cannot and I wil

ered. "Let's see. What does the young fool do? What are his games? Ah! Football! I

ound of hidden treasure which it behooves all prudent aspirants for university honours to diligently mine as the fateful day approaches. With Mr. Dunn time had now come to be measured by moments, and eve

w the rage which boils behind that genial smile of yours. Don't deny it, Sir. Have I not suff

id Mr. Dunn som

ur exit shall be with distinction; and all the more that I am not unaware of your achievements in another department of-ah-shall I say endeavour. I ha

unfamiliar with Mr. Rae's smile was moved, to a responsive geniality of expression, but in the full tide of this emotion he found himself suddenly regarding a face of such preternatural gravity as rebuked the very possibility or suggestion of geniality. Before the smile Mr. Rae's face was like a house, with the shutters up and the family plunged in gloom. When t

enially into a face of the severest gravity, and eyes that rebuked him for his

alm of athletics. And that reminds me of my business with you to-day,-a sad business, a serious business, I fear." The solemn impres

Sir!" ec

e, or did he not have

alert. "Yes, Sir. Wha

nt that I find him to-day, extremely important; in fact, it is necessary; in short, Mr. Dunn,-I b

mention of the police in connection with the private life of any of his friends awakens a feeling of gra

remained

, Sir," suggested Mr. Dun

, that we are the family solicitors, as we have been for hi

. I beg pardon," sa

the Bank of Scotland. The young man, or someone using his name, has been guilty of-ah-well, an irregularity, a decided irregularity, an irregularity which the bank seems inclined to-to-follow up;

eglected him. The truth is, I've been in an awful funk

to town this evening, which makes it doubly impera

. He's been rather down all this winter; in fact, ever since

smile broke forth, but anxiety for his friend saved Mr. Dunn from being caught again in any responsive smile. "Bring him to my office, if you can, any

lse I could do? Anyone I could see? I mean, fo

it into a horn, and pulled it quite severely as if to assure himself that that important feature of his face was fir

ed Mr. Dunn. "I am sure he would

up, and if Mr. Dunn should use his influence, his very great influence, with Mr. Sheratt, the bank might be induced to take a more lenient view of the case. I think I can trust you with this." Mr. Rae shook the young man warmly by

d. "No use trying his digs. Shouldn't be surprised if that beast Potts has got him. Rotten bounder, Potts, and worse! Better go round his way." And oscillating in his emotions between disgust and rage at C

light importance to his company; so slight, indeed, that the company had not found it necessary either to the stability of its business or to the protection of its policy holders-a prime consideration wi

pers in that city of respectable lodgers and respectable lodging-house keepers. When, however, she learned the real nature of Mr. Dunn's errand, she became immediately transformed. In a voice shrill with indignation she repudiated Mr. Potts and his affairs, and seemed chiefly concerned to re-establ

have you any idea when he may return?" in

dialect, "that I keep nae coont o' Mr. Potts' stravagins? An' as to his return, I ken naething aboot th

ar that," said M

r it's feared I was fo

?" inquired Mr. Dun

d of his. And a night they made of it, I remember," replied the landlady, recovering

he young man th

eron. He had been comi

have you seen M

e except in compa

's haunts in the various parts of the town. It was Martin, his little quarter-back, that finally put him on

nquired the young Canadian. "There's nothing on

st want him. In fact, he

r should you waste time on him? You've taken enough trouble

surprise. "Well, you can't go back o

ing over each other to get him out, hence he deliberately and cheerfully slides in. If he knew he'd have to scramble out himself he wouldn't be so blamed keen to get in. If he's in a hole let him frog it for awhile, by Jingo! He's hitting the pace, let him take his bumps! He's g

re's something in that. My governor said something like that some ti

rtin. "That's philosophy!

you simply can't stand and look on." Dunn's words, tone, and manner revealed

se so! Guess I'll go along with you.

ed Dunn, brightening up

tch me over night and hear my brain sizzle.

t was difficult to check his friend's newly-aroused ardour. "I say,

n't you worry about me! You've got me goin

old man," he said, "but it's a thing

say, if you need me I'm on. You're

s bed enjoying the luxury of a cigarette. "Hello! Come right in, old chap!" h

lief, wrath, pity, disgust. "Well, I'll be hanged!" at last he said s

emancipation from the thralldom in wh

oes that me

books, lectures, professors, exams, 'the hale

eron! You do

any suggestion of knotted

table; boots, caps, golf-clubs, coats, lay piled in various corners. "Pardon the confusion, dear sir," cried Cameron cheerfully, "and lay it not to the

what does this mean? You're not ser

and nothing less. Might

your people? What about your father? And, by Jove, that reminds me, he's coming to town

are 'they

bluntly, determined to shoc

ly. "The police? Wha

ot know, Cameron, I a

Cameron again. "I

man! But I have it straight from Mr. Rae

meron. "Now what the de

p?" said Dunn kindly, anxiety a

What did the old

ty, he called it, a serious irregulari

was there a week or ten days ago with-" he paused. "Hang it, I can't remembe

and fear, doubt and faith fi

. "What is it, old man? Can't I help you?"

cheque, and about ten days ago the usual fifty-pound cheque to square things up for the year, fees, etc. Seems to me I cashed those. Or did Potts? Anyway I paid Potts. The

go right along to Mr. Rae

much trouble,-but he's a straight old boy. Just wait till I brush

out if I were

replied Cameron,

ntous in its solemnity. "Well, Sir, you have succeeded in your task," he said to Mr. Dunn. "I wish to thank you for this service,

ll be all right." He rose to go. Cameron looked at him q

"If it is not asking too much, and if you can still s

, but I'll do better if you're in the game, too." It was an appeal to his c

ned and the clerk announce

. "Tell him," he sai

clerk, and came in with a rush. "Now, what does all this mean?" he cri

y, of International fame." The solicitor's smile broke forth with its accustomed unexpectedness, but

s this affair of yours that calls me to town at a most inc

his father, as if in expectation of sympathy and help, froze at this greeting into sullen reserve. "I

e Captain's voice and manner were dis

"Will you not be seated, Sir?" he said, poin

f. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Rae, but I am really much disturbed. Can we

continued, turning to the Captain, "to remain. He has already given me valuable as

bowed i

of Mr. Allan here, and great wisdom on the part of us all, can possibly extract us." Mr. Rae's glance rested upon the Captain, who bowed,

p of paper. "Mr. Allan," he said, with a certai

, glanced at it. "It is my father's cheque,"

orsement, please

ush came to his pale face. "It is m

s cashed

so. I owed him money, a

did you

. I had been borrowing

as fift

not keep count, partic

ntemptuously. "Do you

in Cameron. Allow

nk you owed him as much as

know, but

any oth

had a little remaining from the five pounds I

sure you had

tain," rep

ew forth a slip and handed it to you

urned it over. "That is my father's ch

He leaned across the desk and for some moments-they seemed like minutes to Dunn-his eyes searched young Cameron's face. "Mr.

ed at it. "Good Lord!" he cried. "It is

fty pounds. Do you know that that is a forgery, the punishment for which

of Mr. Rae's desk. Twice or thrice he moistened his lips preparing to speak, but uttered not a wor

ain. "Permit me." Mr. Rae's voice, while pe

the wretched young man, "what money

is pocketbook, from which the lawyer counted out ten one-pound notes, a

kerchief from his pocket, touched his lips

ropping again into a kindly voice, "

don't understand this. I can't think clearly. I can't remember. That money

ain again. "To think tha

ae quickly and somewhat sharply. "We must not p

e said in a low tone. Then turning towards the Captain he said, "I beg your p

quiet voice, as the Captain was about to brea

d man," he said, his white lips quivering. "I will

cheques for fifty pounds, both drawn by your father, both endorsed by you, one

this. I ought to say that for the last two weeks I haven't been quite myself, and whiskey alwa

said Dunn quickl

cheque," picking up the one endorsed to Potts, "I remember givin

ng that five-pound che

ecause I once offered it to Potts in part payment, an

Allan, what

matter," s

said Mr. Rae sharply. "It

ly. "You surely owe it to me, to us

has really no bearing, Sir, but I remember saying as

ae, with quiet indifference, as if he had lost

meron he

it!" said his fa

firm resolve. "It really has noth

, old man," sa

ence anyway. He said in a joke, 'You could easily

at the five-pound cheque could easily be changed into fifty pounds. That was a mere

ed at him

gestion strike you u

any impression, Sir.

father. "Good Heaven

is cheque of five pounds has evidently been altered to fifty pounds. The question is, by who

remember nothing

you could have raised this cheque

his father hotly, "

e, Mr. Rae, and I tell you all, I know nothing about this cheque, and

interview, "we have done our bes

llan, that you persist in this cursed folly and will give us no further light? Have y

the face, "you condemned me before you heard a word from me, and now for my name or

, quietly; "he will need you. And

id Dunn. "I'll stay