oration when he
stated that his clients desired to express their conviction that the
former secretary of the Corporation, whose evidence that day had mainly
contributed to the exposure of the fraud, was himself entirely clear of
any imputation in connection with the conspiracy.

"I should not mention this, my lord," said the counsel, "had not a
certain magistrate, in another place, at an earlier stage of this
inquiry, used language--in my humble opinion harsh and unwarranted--
calculated to cast a slur on that gentleman's character, if not to
interfere seriously with his future prospects. I merely wish to say, my
lord, that my clients, and those of us who have gone fully into the
case, and may be expected to know as much about it even as a north-
country magistrate, are fully convinced that Mr Cruden comes out of
this case with an unsullied character, and we feel it our duty publicly
to state our opinion to that effect."

The counsel sat down amid signs of approval from the Court, not unmixed
with amusement at the expense of the north-country magistrate, and the
judge, calling for order, replied, "I make no objection whatever to the
statement which has just fallen from the lips of the learned counsel,
and as it commends itself entirely to my own judgment in the matter, I
am glad to inform Mr Cruden, if he be still in court, that he will quit
it to-day clear of the slightest imputation on his character unbecoming
an upright but unfortunate gentleman."

Reginald was not in court, but he read every word of it next day with
grateful and overflowing heart.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three months have passed. The winter has given way to spring, and
Number 3, Dull Street is empty. Jemima Shuckleford still nurses her
sorrow in secret, and it will be a year or two yet before the happy man
is to turn up who shall reconcile her to life, and disestablish the
image of Reginald Cruden from her soft heart. Meanwhile she and her
mother are constant visitors at the little house in Highbury where the
Crudens now live, and as often as they go they find a welcome. Samuel
writes home from the country that he is doing great things, and expects
to become Lord Chancellor in a few years. Meanwhile he too contemplates
matrimony with a widow and four children, who will probably leave him
among them very little leisure for another experiment in the amateur
detective business.

The Shuckl