ere to see him," said the detective, "and heard
from him the news of the young man's escape. That, perhaps, accounted for
her high spirits."

"Briefly, then, your labors have had no result, and you are as far from
the scent as on the first day."

"Not exactly that, sir. We'll nab him yet."

"As for the people at the rectory," Ormsby said, decisively, "I'll tackle
them myself."

"Be guarded, sir. We don't want them to suspect that they are watched."

"They probably know that already. I'm going to offer them terms. If
they'll advise their son to give himself up, seven thousand dollars shall
be paid by some 'friend,' and he will get off with a light sentence. It
isn't as though I wanted him sent up for any great length of time. I only
want him put in the dock. The whole United States will ring with the
scandal, and the country'll be too hot to hold him, even if he should be
acquitted. He's a reckless young fellow. There's no knowing what he might
do. He might--"

Ormsby did not finish the sentence. The detective muttered one
comprehensive word.

"Suicide."

Ormsby nodded.

"And the best thing, I should think," grunted the detective.

The upshot of this conversation was a prompt visit to the rectory by
Ormsby, whose arrival caused no little consternation in the household.
The rector was flustered and ill at ease. He would have liked to deny the
visitor, but was afraid. He knew the banker slightly, well enough to
dread the steady fire of those stern eyes.

Ormsby offered his hand in friendly fashion, and took stock of the
trembling man before speaking.

"You can guess why I have come, Mr. Swinton."

"It is not difficult to guess, Mr. Ormsby. It is the sad business of the
checks. I hear you have issued a warrant for my son's arrest, and you can
scarcely expect to be received as a welcome guest in this house. What
have you to say to me?"

"Only this, Mr. Swinton. If your son likes to give himself up, we will
deal with him as leniently as possible to avoid delay and--expense.
There'll be no question of refunding the money. My co-directors are
willing to put in a plea for the unfortunate young man as a first
offender, on certain conditions."

"And the conditions?"

"That he undertakes not to molest or in any way pursue Miss Dora
Dundas."

"Molest is rather a hard word, Mr. Ormsby. I am aware of the rivalry
between you and my son, and I recognize that he has made a dangerous
enemy. Surely, Miss Dundas is t