without hesitation.

The story of Frank's quarrel with his uncle, of the forged checks, and
of his own experience on the night of the crime filled the greater part
of the forenoon, and it was in the afternoon when Bryan Bennett, one of
the most brilliant barristers of his time, stood up to cross-examine.

"Had you any suspicion that your employer was being robbed?"

"I had a suspicion," replied Jasper.

"Did you communicate your suspicion to your employer?"

Jasper hesitated.

"No," he replied at last.

"Why do you hesitate?" asked Bennett sharply.

"Because, although I did not directly communicate my suspicions, I
hinted to Mr. Minute that he should have an independent audit."

"So you thought the books were wrong?"

"I did."

"In these circumstances," asked Bennett slowly, "do you not think it was
very unwise of you to touch those books yourself?"

"When did I touch them?" asked Jasper quickly.

"I suggest that on a certain night you came to the bank and remained in
the bank by yourself, examining the ledgers on behalf of your employer,
and that during that time you handled at least three books in which
these falsifications were made."

"That is quite correct," said Jasper, after a moment's thought; "but my
suspicions were general and did not apply to any particular group of
books."

"But did you not think it was dangerous?"

Again the hesitation.

"It may have been foolish, and if I had known how matters were
developing I should certainly not have touched them."

"You do admit that there were several periods of time from seven in the
evening until nine and from nine-thirty until eleven-fifteen when you
were absolutely alone in the bank?"

"That is true," said Jasper.

"And during those periods you could, had you wished and had you been a
forger, for example, or had you any reason for falsifying the entries,
have made those falsifications?"

"I admit there was time," said Jasper.

"Would you describe yourself as a friend of Frank Merrill's?"

"Not a close friend," replied Jasper.

"Did you like him?"

"I cannot say that I was fond of him," was the reply.

"He was a rival of yours?"

"In what respect?"

Counsel shrugged his shoulders.

"He was very fond of Miss Nuttall."

"Yes."

"And she was fond of him?"

"Yes."

"Did you not aspire to pay your addresses to Miss Nuttall?"

Jasper Cole looked down to the girl, and May averted her eyes. Her
cheeks were burning and she had