hat more hurriedly than his wont. "If it is not
asking too much, and if you can still spare time, your presence might be
helpful, Mr. Dunn."

"Stay if you can, old chap," said Cameron. "I don't know what this thing
is, but I'll do better if you're in the game, too." It was an appeal to
his captain, and after that nothing on earth could have driven Dunn from
his side.

At this point the door opened and the clerk announced, "Captain Cameron,
Sir."

Mr. Rae rose hastily. "Tell him," he said quickly, "to wait--"

He was too late. The Captain had followed close upon the heels of the
clerk, and came in with a rush. "Now, what does all this mean?"
he cried, hardly waiting to shake hands with his solicitor. "What
mischief--?"

"I beg your pardon, Captain," said Mr. Rae calmly, "let me present Mr.
Dunn, Captain Dunn, I might say, of International fame." The solicitor's
smile broke forth with its accustomed unexpectedness, but had vanished
long before Mr. Dunn in his embarrassment had finished shaking hands
with Captain Cameron.

The Captain then turned to his son. "Well, Sir, and what is this affair
of yours that calls me to town at a most inconvenient time?" His tone
was cold, fretful, and suspicious.

Young Cameron's face, which had lighted up with a certain eagerness
and appeal as he had turned toward his father, as if in expectation of
sympathy and help, froze at this greeting into sullen reserve. "I don't
know any more than yourself, Sir," he answered. "I have just come into
this office this minute."

"Well, then, what is it, Mr. Rae?" The Captain's voice and manner were
distinctly imperious, if not overbearing.

Mr. Rae, however, was king of his own castle. "Will you not be seated,
Sir?" he said, pointing to a chair. "Sit down, young gentlemen."

His quiet dignity, his perfect courtesy, recalled the Captain to
himself. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Rae, but I am really much disturbed.
Can we begin at once?" He glanced as he spoke at Mr. Dunn, who
immediately rose.

"Sit down, Mr. Dunn," said Mr. Rae quietly. "I have asked this young
gentleman," he continued, turning to the Captain, "to remain. He has
already given me valuable assistance. I fancy he may be able to serve us
still further, if he will be so good."

Mr. Dunn bowed in silence.

"Now let us proceed with what must be an exceedingly painful matter for
us all, and out of which nothing but extreme candour on the part of Mr.
Allan here, and great wisdom on