s country?--a name, I venture to
say, not unknown in the history of this nation. The Camerons, Sir, have
fought and bled for King and country on many a battlefield. What matters
the question of a few pounds in comparison with the honour of an
ancient and honourable name? You cannot persist in this attitude, Sir
Archibald!"

"Pounds, Sir!" cried Sir Archibald, now thoroughly aroused by the
contemptuous reference to what to him was dearer than anything in life.
"Pounds, Sir! It is no question of pounds, but a question of the honour
of a National Institution, a question of the lives and happiness of
hundreds of widows and orphans, a question of the honour of a name which
I hold as dear as you hold yours."

Mr. Rae was in despair. He laid a restraining hand upon the Captain, and
with difficulty obtained permission to speak. "Sir Archibald, I crave
your indulgence while I put this matter to you as to a business man. In
the first place, there is no evidence that fraud has been committed
by young Mr. Cameron, absolutely none.--Pardon me a moment, Sir
Archibald.--The fraud has been committed, I grant, by someone, but by
whom is as yet unknown. The young man for some weeks has been in a state
of incapacity; a most blameworthy and indeed shameful condition, it is
true, but in a state of incapacity to transact business. He declares
that he has no knowledge of this act of forgery. He will swear this. I
am prepared to defend him."

"Very well, Sir," interrupted Sir Archibald, "and I hope, I sincerely
hope, successfully."

"But while it may be difficult to establish innocence, it will be
equally difficult to establish guilt. Meantime, the young man's life
is blighted, his name dishonoured, his family plunged into unspeakable
grief. I venture to say that it is a case in which the young man might
be given, without injury to the Bank, or without breaking through its
traditional policy, the benefit of the doubt."

But Sir Archibald had been too deeply stirred by Captain Cameron's
unfortunate remarks to calmly weigh Mr. Rae's presentation of the case.
"It is quite useless, Mr. Rae," he declared firmly. "The case is out of
my hands, and must be proceeded with. I sincerely trust you may be able
to establish the young man's innocence. I have nothing more to say."

And from this position neither Mr. Rae's arguments nor the Captain's
passionate pleadings could move him.

Throughout the return journey the Captain raged and swore. "A
co