e in the way of providing able legal assistance for his
son-in-law. He had taken Myra and her cousin at once to a retired
seaside place within easy reach of town, and made James Dale's case the
sole business of his life.

It was a two days' business, that trial, owing to the efforts made by
the counsel for the defence, who fought their client's cause gallantly.
But it was a losing game from beginning to end; the proofs were utterly
crushing. James Dale had obtained a large income from the forgeries for
years, and his companion in the iniquity had purchased property
extensively. The West Indian estates were certainly in existence, and
belonged to a family named Barron, but in the prisoner's case the name
was assumed, and in his real patronymic he, with his confederate, was
sentenced to seven years' penal servitude.

"Deserved it, every hour," said Sir Mark, with a sigh of relief, as he
drove away from the court with Guest. "Now for a few months of quiet
abroad, and then I shall have to see the lawyers again."

Guest looked at him inquiringly.

"Eh? What do I mean? Well, I don't understand much about such matters,
but surely under the circumstances the laws of England will not keep my
child tied to such a rascal as that."

Guest was about to speak, but the old man interrupted him.

"Fancy, my lad, after an apprenticeship of seven years to a convict's
life that fellow knocking at my door, and Andrews coming up to say that
he had called for his wife."

Guest shuddered: the idea was horrible.

"No, no, my lad; that would not do at all. But there, say no more about
it now. By and by I shall hear what the lawyers think about a divorce."

They shook hands and parted, the admiral going home, and Guest straight
to his friend's chambers, where he knocked, but there was no answer.

Brettison came out, though, from the adjoining room.

"He has not come back yet from the trial," Brettison said.

"Indeed! I looked round the court, but could not see him there. You
have heard, of course?"

"The verdict? Yes, I was there."

The two men looked inquiringly into each others' eyes, and just then a
step was heard upon the stairs.

"Here he is," whispered Guest, and the next minute, looking very calm
and self-possessed, Stratton joined them, and asked them in; but
Brettison declined, and went back to his own chambers, while Guest
followed his friend into his room, thinking, as he entered the quiet,
retired place, o