r old
seat, under Uncle Duthie's picture. Flora will be there to keep you
countenance; and we shall see what we shall see."

"Wouldn't it be wiser for me to stay in bed?" said John.

"If you mean to manage your own concerns, you can do precisely what you
like," replied Alexander; "but if you are not in your place five minutes
before the half-hour I wash my hands of you, for one."

And thereupon he departed. He had spoken warmly, but the truth is, his
heart was somewhat troubled. And as he hung over the banisters, watching
for his father to appear, he had hard ado to keep himself braced for the
encounter that must follow.

"If he takes it well, I shall be lucky," he reflected. "If he takes it
ill, why, it'll be a herring across John's tracks, and perhaps all for
the best. He's a confounded muff, this brother of mine, but he seems a
decent soul."

At that stage a door opened below with a certain emphasis, and Mr.
Nicholson was seen solemnly to descend the stairs, and pass into his own
apartment. Alexander followed, quaking inwardly, but with a steady face.
He knocked, was bidden to enter, and found his father standing in front
of the forced drawer, to which he pointed as he spoke.

"This is a most extraordinary thing," said he; "I have been robbed!"

"I was afraid you would notice it," observed his son; "it made such a
beastly hash of the table."

"You were afraid I would notice it?" repeated Mr. Nicholson. "And, pray,
what may that mean?"

"That I was the thief, sir," returned Alexander. "I took all the money
in case the servants should get hold of it; and here is the change, and
a note of my expenditure. You were gone to bed, you see, and I did not
feel at liberty to knock you up; but I think when you have heard the
circumstances you will do me justice. The fact is, I have reason to
believe there has been some dreadful error about my brother John; the
sooner it could be cleared up the better for all parties; it was a piece
of business, sir--and so I took it, and decided, on my own
responsibility, to send a telegram to San Francisco. Thanks to my
quickness, we may hear to-night. There appears to be no doubt, sir, that
John has been abominably used."

"When did this take place?" asked the father.

"Last night, sir, after you were asleep," was the reply.

"It's most extraordinary," said Mr. Nicholson. "Do you mean to say you
have been out all night?"

"All night, as you say, sir. I have been to the telegrap