Mr. Rae stood gazing steadily at her as if striving to take in the
meaning of her words, the while screwing up his ear most violently till
it stuck out like a horn upon the side of his shiny, bald head. "Permit
me to say, Miss Brodie," he said, with a deliberate and measured
emphasis, "that you must be a most extraordinary young lady." At this
point Mr. Rae's smile broke forth in all its glory.

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Rae," replied Miss Brodie, smiling responsively at
him. "You are most--" But Mr. Rae's smile had vanished. "What! I beg
your pardon!" Miss Brodie's smiling response was abruptly arrested by
finding herself gazing at a face whose grave solemnity rebuked her smile
as unwarranted levity.

"Not at all, not at all!" said Mr. Rae. "But now, there are matters
demanding immediate action. First, Mr. Sheratt must receive and act
upon this letter without delay." As he spoke he was scribbling hastily
a note. "Mr. Dunn, my young men have gone for the day. Might I trouble
you?"

"Most certainly," cried Mr. Dunn. "Is an answer wanted?"

"Bring him with you, if possible; indeed, bring him whether it is
possible or not. But wait, it is past the hour appointed. Already the
officer has gone for young Cameron. We must save him the humiliation of
arrest."

"Oh, could I not warn him?" cried Miss Brodie eagerly. "No," she added,
"Rob will go. He is in the waiting room now, poor little chap. It will
be a joy to him."

"It is just as well Rob should know nothing. He is awfully fond of
Cameron. It would break his heart," said Mr. Dunn.

"Oh, of course! Quite unnecessary that he should know anything. We
simply wish Cameron here at the earliest possible moment."

Dunn went with his young brother down the stairs and out to the street.
"Now, Rob, you are to go to Cameron's lodgings and tell him that Mr. Rae
wants him, and that I want him. Hold on, youngster!" he cried, grabbing
Rob by the collar, "do you understand? It is very important that Cameron
should get here as quick as he possibly can, and--I say, Rob," the big
brother's eyes traveled over the darkening streets that led up into the
old town, "you're not afraid?"

"A wee bit," said Rob, tugging at the grasp on his collar; "but I don't
care if I am."

"Good boy!" cried his brother. "Good little brick! I wouldn't let you
go, but it's simply got to be done, old chap. Now fly!" He held him just
a moment longer to slap him on the back, then released his hold. Dunn
stood w