th, uncle."

"Yes; I believe you," said Mr Brandon.

"Shall I go and post the letter now, sir?"

"No; it is too late. Here, Samuel, come into my room."

Mr Brandon walked into his room, while Sam got down slowly from his
stool, leaning over toward his cousin the while.

"I'll serve you out for this," he whispered, and then crossed to his
father's room.

There was a low murmur of voices from within as soon as the door was
closed; but that door fitted too closely for any of the conversation to
be heard. Not that Tom was listening, for he was feeling a kind of pity
for his cousin's position, and more warmly towards his uncle for his
simple act of justice than he had felt for months.

Just then there was a faint creaking sound, and looking behind him, it
was to see that the inner office door was open, and Pringle standing
there framed as it were, and going through a pantomimic performance
expressive of his intense delight, grimacing, rubbing his hands, and
laughing silently. Then he gesticulated and pointed toward the private
office, and rubbed his hands again, till there was a sound in the
private room, and he darted back and closed the door.

All this was meant for Tom's amusement, and as congratulation; but the
boy did not feel in the least elated, but sat waiting for his cousin's
return, fully intending to offer him his hand and whisper, "I am sorry--
but you should have told the truth."

A good half-hour passed before Sam came out, looking very red in the
face; but when he took his place on his stool, Tom did not reach across
to offer his hand, for his cousin's face repelled him, and he felt that
something would come of all this--what he could not tell. Still there
was one gratifying thing left: his uncle had taken his word before that
of his cousin, and this little thing comforted him during the remainder
of that unpleasant day.

Before the afternoon was half over Mr Brandon came to his door and
called Sam, who went in, and then took his hat and went away, to Tom's
great relief, for it was far from pleasant to be sitting at a double
desk facing one who kept on darting scowling looks full of threatenings.

An hour later Mr Brandon left, after sending Pringle upon some errand,
and for the rest of the afternoon the boy had the office to himself.

CHAPTER FIVE.

In due time Tom locked up the safe and strong-room, saw that no
important papers were left about, and started for Mornington Crescent in
a