-and-by, Wimble," said the old
merchant, coldly. "That will do, now."

Jem looked uneasily at Don, as he turned his hat round to make sure
which was the right way on, and moved slowly toward the door.

"Which, begging your pardon, sir, you don't think now as--"

"Well?" said the old merchant, sharply, for Jem had stopped.

"Think as Mrs Wimble picked up any of the money, sir?"

"No, no, my man, of course not."

"Thankye, sir, I'm glad of that; and if I might make so bold, sir, about
Master Don--"

"What do you wish to say, man?"

"Oh, nothing, sir, only I'm quite sure, sir, as it was all Mike
Bannock's doing, and--"

"I think you had better go on with your work, Wimble, which you do
understand, and not meddle with things that are beyond you."

"Certainly, sir, certainly," said Jem, quickly. "Just going, sir;" and
giving Don a sympathetic look, he hurried out, but had hardly closed the
door before he opened it again.

"Beg pardon, sir, Mrs Lavington, sir, and Miss Kitty."

Don started from his stool, crimson with mortification. His mother!
What would Uncle Josiah say?

Jem Wimble gave Don another look full of condolence before he closed the
door, leaving Mrs Lavington and her niece in the office.

Mrs Lavington's face was full of anxiety and care, as she glanced from
her son to her brother and back again, while Kitty's was as full of
indignant reproof as she darted an angry look at Don, and then frowned
and looked straight down at the floor.

"Well?" said the old merchant, coldly, "why have you come? You know I
do not like you to bring Kitty here to the business place."

"I--I heard--" faltered Mrs Lavington, who stood in great awe of her
brother when he was in one of his stern moods.

"Heard? Well, what did you hear?"

"Such terrible news, Josiah."

"Well, well, what?"

"Oh, my brother!" she exclaimed, wildly, as she stepped forward and
caught his hand, "tell me it is not true."

"How can I tell you what is not true when I don't know what you are
talking about," cried the old man, impatiently. "My dear Laura, do you
think I have not worries enough without your coming here?"

"Yes, yes; I know, dear."

"And you ought to know that I shall do what is just and right."

"I am sure of that, Josiah, but I felt obliged to come. Kitty and I
were out shopping, and we met a crowd."

"Then you should have turned down a side street."

"But they were your men in the midst, and directly after I