the part of us all, can possibly extract
us." Mr. Rae's glance rested upon the Captain, who bowed, and upon his
son, who made no sign whatever, but remained with his face set in the
same sullen gloom with which he had greeted his father.

Mr. Rae opened a drawer and brought forth a slip of paper. "Mr. Allan,"
he said, with a certain sharpness in his tone, "please look at this."

Cameron came to the desk, picked up the paper, glanced at it. "It is my
father's cheque," he said, "which I received about a week ago."

"Look at the endorsement, please," said Mr. Rae.

Cameron turned it over. A slight flush came to his pale face. "It is
mine to--" he hesitated, "Mr. Potts."

"Mr. Potts cashed it then?"

"I suppose so. I believe so. I owed him money, and he gave me back
some."

"How much did you owe him?"

"A considerable amount. I had been borrowing of him for some time."

"As much as fifty pounds?"

"I cannot tell. I did not keep count, particularly; Potts did that."

The Captain snorted contemptuously. "Do you mean to say--?" he began.

"Pardon me, Captain Cameron. Allow me," said Mr. Rae.

"Now, Mr. Allan, do you think you owed him as much as the amount of that
cheque?"

"I do not know, but I think so."

"Had you any other money?"

"No," said Allan shortly; "at least I may have had a little remaining
from the five pounds I had received from my father a few days before."

"You are quite sure you had no other money?"

"Quite certain," replied Allan.

Again Mr. Rae opened his desk and drew forth a slip and handed it to
young Cameron. "What is that?" he said.

Cameron glanced at it hurriedly, and turned it over. "That is my
father's cheque for five pounds, which I cashed."

Mr. Rae stretched out his hand and took the cheque. "Mr. Allan," he
said, "I want you to consider most carefully your answer." He leaned
across the desk and for some moments--they seemed like minutes to
Dunn--his eyes searched young Cameron's face. "Mr. Allan," he said, with
a swift change of tone, his voice trembling slightly, "will you look at
the amount of that cheque again?"

Cameron once more took the cheque, glanced at it. "Good Lord!" he cried.
"It is fifty!" His face showed blank amazement.

Quick, low, and stern came Mr. Rae's voice. "Yes," he said, "it is for
fifty pounds. Do you know that that is a forgery, the punishment for
which is penal servitude, and that the order for your arrest is already
given?"

The Captai