mistress
was seated at her writing-table, talking to Vivian, and turned round at
their approach. She looked worried, and had a sterner expression on her
face than they had ever seen there before.

"Honor Fitzgerald," she began, "I have sent for you because a very
unpleasant thing has occurred, which I hope you may be able to explain
to me. Last evening I was sitting writing at this table, and laid a
sovereign down just at this corner. I was called away, and left the
room for about ten minutes, or a quarter of an hour. When I returned, I
found to my astonishment that the money was gone. I searched
everywhere, and it had certainly not fallen on to the floor, nor was it
amongst my papers; so I can only conclude that someone must have come
in and taken it. I have made careful enquiries as to who was seen near
my study last night, and I hear that you climbed up the lime tree and
entered the room by the window shortly before nine o'clock. Is that
so?"

"Yes, Miss Maitland," replied Honor, without any hesitation. "I did
come in, but I only stayed a minute. I didn't go near the table, and I
didn't see the sovereign. If I had, I certainly shouldn't have touched
it."

Miss Maitland sighed.

"I was afraid you would say that, Honor! My dear child, it would be
better to tell me the truth, and confess at once. We have the clearest
proof that you, and only you, must have taken it, so it is no use
denying it any more."

"I should like to know what proof you mean, Miss Maitland?" said Honor,
in a strained voice.

"This letter," replied the mistress, producing Dermot's note. "It was
found on your bedroom floor this morning by the upper housemaid, who
brought it at once to me. It was given you, I find, by one of the under
servants, who much regrets now that she was persuaded to deliver it
secretly. It shows me, of course, your motive for taking the money."

"But I did not take it!" said Honor. "I said before that I didn't see
it, and I mean it."

For answer Miss Maitland turned to Janie.

"Janie Henderson, did Honor Fitzgerald leave her bedroom before five
o'clock this morning?"

Poor Janie whispered, "Yes", though the word almost choked her. That
she, of all people, must be a witness against her friend seemed too
cruel to be endured.

"Did Honor mention to you where she was going?"

"To the bathing cove."

"And her errand?"

"To meet her brother."

"Did she say that she meant to take him the money he needed?"

"I