think he was wearing a gold-rimmed eyeglass when he came on the first
occasion, but I have never met him in the street, and he hardly moves in
my humble social circle." Frank smiled.

"I suppose it is all right," said the manager dubiously; "but, anyway,
I'll see him to-morrow. As a precautionary measure we might get in touch
with your uncle, though I know he'll raise Cain if we bother him about
his account."

"He will certainly raise Cain if you get in touch with him to-day,"
smiled Frank, "for he is due to leave by the two-twenty this afternoon
for Paris."

It wanted five minutes to the hour at which the bank closed when a clerk
came through the swing door and laid a letter upon the counter which was
taken in to Mr. Brandon, who came into the office immediately and
crossed to where Frank sat.

"Look at this," he said.

Frank took the letter and read it. It was addressed to the manager, and
ran:

DEAR SIR: I am leaving for Paris to-night to join my partner, Mr.
Minute. I shall be very glad, therefore, if you will arrange to
cash the inclosed check. Yours faithfully,
REX A. HOLLAND.

The "inclosed check" was for fifty-five thousand pounds and was within
five thousand pounds of the amount standing to Mr. Holland's account in
the bank. There was a postscript to the letter:

You will accept this, my receipt, for the sum, and hand it to my
messenger, Sergeant George Graylin, of the corps of
commissionaires, and this form of receipt will serve to indemnify
you against loss in the event of mishap.

The manager walked to the counter.

"Who gave you this letter?" he asked.

"Mr. Holland, sir," said the man.

"Where is Mr. Holland?" asked Frank.

The sergeant shook his head.

"At his flat. My instructions were to take this letter to the bank and
bring back the money."

The manager was in a quandary. It was a regular transaction, and it was
by no means unusual to pay out money in this way. It was only the
largeness of the sum which made him hesitate. He disappeared into his
office and came back with two bundles of notes which he had taken from
the safe. He counted them over, placed them in a sealed envelope, and
received from the sergeant his receipt.

When the man had gone Brandon wiped his forehead.

"Phew!" he said. "I don't like this way of doing business very much, and
I should be very glad indeed to be t