se, sir, we have no actual evidence that the forgery was made by
the young man, although he--er--presented the checks, and pursued an
unusual course. He took the amount in notes. The second amount he took
partly in notes, and paid the rest into his account, which has since gone
down to a few dollars. Of course, it may have been done by--er--someone
else. It is a difficult matter to decide who--er--that is who actually
made the alterations. We have not yet brought the matter to the notice of
Mrs. Swinton. She may be able to explain--"

"What! Do you mean to insinuate that my daughter--my daughter--sir, would
be capable of a low, cunning forgery?"

"I insinuate nothing, sir. But mothers will sometimes condone the faults
of their sons, and--er--it would be difficult, if she were to say--"

"Let me tell you that the two checks were signed by me for two and for
five dollars, and given into the hands of my daughter. If she was fool
enough to let them pass into the clutches of her rascally son, she must
take the consequences, and remember, sir, you'll get no money out of me.
I'll have my seven thousand, every penny."

Mr. Barnby subsided. The situation was clear enough. Herresford
repudiated the checks, and it was for Mr. Ormsby to decide what action
should be taken, and against whom. Mr. Barnby's personal opinion of the
forgery was that it might just as well have been done by Mrs. Swinton as
by her son. In fact, after a close perusal of the second check, to which
he had brought some knowledge of handwriting, he was more inclined to
regard her as the culprit. He knew Dick slightly, and certainly could not
credit him with the act of a fool. As a parting shot, he asked:

"Just for the sake of argument, sir, I presume that you would not have us
prosecute if it were your daughter; whereas, if it were your
grandson--?"

"Women don't forge, sir," snarled the old man, "they're too afraid of
paper money. I don't want to hear anything more about the matter. What I
do want is a full statement of my balance. And, if there's a dollar
short, I'll sue you, sir--yes, sue you!--for neglect of your trust."

"I quite understand, sir. I'll put your views before Mr. Ormsby. There is
no need for hurry. The young man is at the war."

"Have him home, sir, have him home," snapped the old man, "and as for his
mother--well, it serves her right--serves her right. Never would take my
advice. Obstinate as a mule. But I'll pay her out yet, ha, ha! F