ia was the power behind the throne.
Amelia read the letter, listened to what her husband had to say, stared
hard at the envelope, and delivered herself--

"The hand that wrote the envelope never wrote the letter, that's
plain--to me. Now, William, you've got me and the children to think of.
This may mean the loss of our business, and worse, too. You put on your
hat and go straight to the Manor. Mr. Warde's a gentleman, and I don't
think he'll let me and the children suffer for your foolishness. Don't
you wait another minute."

Nor did he.

* * * * *

After prayers that night, Warde asked Beaumont-Greene to come to his
study. Beaumont-Greene obeyed, smiling blandly. Within three weeks he
was leaving; doubtless Warde wanted to say something civil. The big
fellow was feeling quite himself. He had paid Scaife and Lovell, not
without a little pardonable braggadocio.

"You fellows have put me to some inconvenience," he said. "I make it a
rule not to run things fine, but after all thirty quid is no great sum.
Here you are."

"We don't want to drive you into the workhouse," said Scaife. "Thanks.
Give you your revenge any time. I dare say between now and the end of
the term you'll have most of it back."

Warde asked Beaumont-Greene to sit down in a particular chair, which
faced the light from a large lamp. Then he took up an envelope. Suddenly
cold chills trickled down Beaumont-Greene's spine. He recognized the
envelope. That scoundrel had betrayed him. Not for a moment, however,
did he suppose that the forgery had been detected.

"On the strength of this letter," said Warde, gravely, "you borrowed
thirty pounds from a tradesman?"

Denial being fatuous, Beaumont-Greene said--

"Yes, sir."

"You know, I suppose, that Harrow tradesmen are expressly forbidden to
lend boys money?"

"I am hardly a boy, sir. And--er--under the circumstances----"

Warde smiled very grimly.

"Ah--under the circumstances. Have you any objection to telling me the
exact circumstances?"

"Not at all, sir. I wished to make some presents to my friends. I am
going to give a large leaving-breakfast."

"Oh! Still, thirty pounds is a large sum----"

"Not to my father, sir. I--er--thought of coming to you, sir, with that
letter."

"Did you?"

Warde took the letter from the envelope, and glanced at it with faint
interest, so Beaumont-Greene thought. Then he picked up a magnifying
glass and played with it. It