lied, with a mirthless laugh. "A man can't
prosecute his own child."

"Some men can, and do. Your father is just the sort to outrage all family
sentiment, and defy public opinion."

"You don't think that!" she cried, turning around on him very suddenly,
with a terrified look in her eyes.

They were interrupted by a tap at the door.

"A gentleman to see you, sir; at least, sir, to see Mr. Dick." The
manservant's manner was halting and embarrassed.

"What does he want with Mr. Dick?"

"Well, sir, he says--"

"Well, what does he say?"

The man looked at his master and mistress hesitatingly, as though he
would rather not speak. "He says, sir--"

"Well?"

"That he has come to arrest him--but he would like to see you first."

"There must be some mistake. Send him in."

A thick-set, burly, bearded man entered, hat in hand, bowed curtly to the
rector, and endeavored to bow more ceremoniously to Mrs. Swinton, who
stood glaring at him in fear.

"Why have you come?" asked the rector.

"Well, there's a warrant. It has been reported he was going to skip."

"Why have you come so soon? I only received Wise's letter this morning."

"It was sent the day before yesterday."

The rector picked up the letter, and found that it was dated two days
ago.

"There was evidently a delay in transmission. What are we to do?" asked
the clergyman, turning to his wife despairingly.

She stood white and irresolute. It was a most humiliating moment. She
longed to call her manservant to turn the fellow out of doors, but she
dared not.

"My instructions were to give reasonable time, and not to proceed with
the arrest if there was any possibility of the money being forthcoming,
or a part of it, not less than two hundred and fifty--cash."

"Can you wait till this evening?" pleaded the rector, hopelessly, "while
I see what can be done. You've taken me at a disadvantage. My son is not
here now. He won't be back till after midday."

"If there is any likelihood of your being able to do anything by evening,
of course--"

"He'll wait. He must wait," cried Mrs. Swinton, taking up her muff. "I'll
have to see father about it."

"You must wait till this evening, my man."

"All right, then. Until six o'clock?"

"Yes."

"Very well, six o'clock," the man agreed, and withdrew.

"I can't bear to think of your going to your father again, Mary," sighed
the rector, bitterly. "Dick has been a shocking muddler in his
affairs--as bad as his