is open to any man to criticise, and I am bound to say that the rankers
exercise that privilege with considerable zest. All the same, however,
it is difficult to overturn an administration, hard to upset established
order. The thing that is, is the thing that ought to be. Rejection of an
administration policy demands revolution."

"Well," said his father, taking the sheets from Jack's hand, "we needn't
go to meet the trouble. Now, let us have yours. What is your particular
grief?"

"Tony," said Jack shortly.

"Tony?" echoed his father in dismay. "Heaven help us! And what now has
come to Tony? Though I must confess I have been expecting this for some
time. It had to come."

"It is a long story, Dad, and I shan't worry you with the details. As
you know, after leaving us, Tony went from one job to another with the
curve steadily downwards. For the last few months, I gather, he has
been living on his wits, helped out by generous contributions from his
sister's wages. Finally he was given a subordinate position under
'The Great War Veterans' who have really been very decent to him. This
position involved the handling of funds--no great amount. Then it was
the old story--gambling and drinking--the loss of all control--desperate
straits--hoping to recoup his losses--and you know the rest."

"Embezzlement?" asked Maitland.

"Yes, embezzlement," said Jack. "Tony is not a thief. He didn't
deliberately steal, you understand."

"Jack," said his father, sharply, "get that out of your head. There is
no such distinction in law or in fact. Stealing is stealing, whatever
the motive behind it, whatever the plan governing it, by whatever name
called."

"I didn't really mean anything else, Dad. Tony did the thing, at any
rate, and the cops were on his trail. He got into hiding, sent an S. O.
S. to his sister. Annette, driven to desperation, came to me with her
story the night of the Match. She was awfully cut up, poor girl. I had
to leave the dance and go right off to Toronto. Too late for the train,
I drove straight through,--ghastly roads,--found Tony, fetched him back,
and up till yesterday he has been hiding in his own home. Meantime,
I managed to get things fixed up--paid his debts, the prosecution is
withdrawn and now he wants,--or, rather, he doesn't want but needs, a
job."

Maitland listened with a grave face. "Then the little girl was right,
after all," he said.

"Meaning?"

"Patricia," said his father. "She told m