high art, and financial integrity a sacred obligation."

"Oh, certainly, certainly," again replied the Captain, quite unimpressed
by this aspect of the matter, for while he considered himself distinctly
a man of affairs, yet his interests lay more in matters of great public
moment. Commercial enterprises he regarded with a feeling akin to
contempt. Money was an extremely desirable, and indeed necessary,
appendage to a gentleman's position, but how any man of fine feeling
could come to regard a financial institution with affection or
veneration he was incapable of conceiving. However, he was prepared
to deal considerately with Sir Archibald's peculiar prejudices in this
matter.

Mr. Rae's forebodings as to the outcome of the approaching interview
were of the most gloomy nature as they drove through the finely
appointed and beautifully kept grounds of Sir Archibald Brodie's estate.
The interview began inauspiciously. Sir Archibald received them with
stiff courtesy. He hated to be pursued to his country home with business
matters. Besides, at this particular moment he was deeply engrossed in
the inspection of his pigs, for which animals he cherished what might
almost be called an absorbing affection. Mr. Rae, who was proceeding
with diplomatic caution and skill to approach the matter in hand by way
of Sir Archibald's Wiltshires, was somewhat brusquely interrupted by the
Captain, who, in the firm conviction that he knew much better than did
the lawyer how to deal with a man of his own class, plunged at once into
the subject.

"Awfully sorry to introduce business matters, Sir Archibald, to the
attention of a gentleman in the privacy of his own home, but there is a
little matter in connection with the Bank in which I am somewhat deeply
interested."

Sir Archibald bowed in silence.

"Rather, I should say, it concerns my son, and therefore, Sir Archibald,
myself and my family."

Again Sir Archibald bowed.

"It is, after all, a trivial matter, which I have no doubt can be easily
arranged between us. The truth is, Sir Archibald--," here the Captain
hesitated, as if experiencing some difficulty in stating the case.

"Perhaps Captain Cameron will allow me to place the matter before you,
Sir Archibald," suggested Mr. Rae, "as it has a legal aspect of some
gravity, indeed of very considerable gravity. It is the case of young
Mr. Cameron."

"Ah," said Sir Archibald shortly. "Forgery case, I believe."

"Well," said Mr. Rae