e paper lay
furled by his side.

But presently Flora came to the rescue. She slid into the silence with a
technicality, asking if John still took his old inordinate amount of
sugar. Thence it was but a step to the burning question of the day; and
in tones a little shaken, she commented on the interval since she had
last made tea for the prodigal, and congratulated him on his return. And
then addressing Mr. Nicholson, she congratulated him also in a manner
that defied his ill-humour; and from that launched into the tale of
John's misadventures, not without some suitable suppressions.

Gradually Alexander joined; between them, whether he would or no, they
forced a word or two from John; and these fell so tremulously, and spoke
so eloquently of a mind oppressed with dread, that Mr. Nicholson
relented. At length even he contributed a question: and before the meal
was at an end all four were talking even freely.

Prayers followed, with the servants gaping at this newcomer whom no one
had admitted; and after prayers there came that moment on the clock
which was the signal for Mr. Nicholson's departure.

"John," said he, "of course you will stay here. Be very careful not to
excite Maria, if Miss Mackenzie thinks it desirable that you should see
her.--Alexander, I wish to speak with you alone." And then, when they
were both in the back-room: "You need not come to the office to-day,"
said he; "you can stay and amuse your brother, and I think it would be
respectful to call on Uncle Greig. And, by-the-by" (this spoken with a
certain--dare we say?--bashfulness), "I agree to concede the principle
of an allowance; and I will consult Dr. Durie, who is quite a man of the
world and has sons of his own, as to the amount. And, my fine fellow,
you may consider yourself in luck!" he added, with a smile.

"Thank you," said Alexander.

Before noon a detective had restored to John his money, and brought
news, sad enough in truth, but perhaps the least sad possible. Alan
Houston had been found in his own house in Regent Terrace, under care of
the terrified butler. He was quite mad, and instead of going to prison,
had been taken to Morningside Asylum. The murdered man, it appeared, was
an evicted tenant who had for nearly a year pursued his late landlord
with threats and insults; and beyond this, the cause and details of the
tragedy were lost.

When Mr. Nicholson returned for dinner they were able to put a despatch
into his hands:--"Jo