n sprang to his feet. Young Cameron's face became ghastly
pale. His hand clutched the top of Mr. Rae's desk. Twice or thrice he
moistened his lips preparing to speak, but uttered not a word. "Good
God, my boy!" said the Captain hoarsely. "Don't stand like that. Tell
him you are innocent."

"One moment, Sir," said Mr. Rae to the Captain. "Permit me." Mr. Rae's
voice, while perfectly courteous, was calmly authoritative.

"Mr. Allan," he continued, turning to the wretched young man, "what
money have you at present in your pockets?"

With shaking hands young Cameron emptied upon the desk the contents of
his pocketbook, from which the lawyer counted out ten one-pound notes,
a half-sovereign and some silver. "Where did you get this money, Mr.
Allan?"

The young man, still silent, drew his handkerchief from his pocket,
touched his lips, and wiped the sweat from his white face.

"Mr. Allan," continued the lawyer, dropping again into a kindly voice,
"a frank explanation will help us all."

"Mr. Rae," said Cameron, his words coming with painful indistinctness,
"I don't understand this. I can't think clearly. I can't remember. That
money I got from Potts; at least I must have--I have had money from no
one else."

"My God!" cried the Captain again. "To think that a son of mine
should--!"

"Pardon me, Captain Cameron," interrupted Mr. Rae quickly and somewhat
sharply. "We must not prejudge this case. We must first understand it."

At this point Dunn stepped swiftly to Cameron's side. "Brace up, old
chap," he said in a low tone. Then turning towards the Captain he said,
"I beg your pardon, Sir, but I do think it's only fair to give a man a
chance to explain."

"Allow me, gentlemen," said Mr. Rae in a firm, quiet voice, as
the Captain was about to break forth. "Allow me to conduct this
examination."

Cameron turned his face toward Dunn. "Thank you, old man," he said,
his white lips quivering. "I will do my best, but before God, I don't
understand this."

"Now, Mr. Allan," continued the lawyer, tapping the desk sharply,
"here are two cheques for fifty pounds, both drawn by your father, both
endorsed by you, one apparently cashed by Mr. Potts, one by yourself.
What do you know about this?"

"Mr. Rae," replied the young man, his voice trembling and husky, "I tell
you I can't understand this. I ought to say that for the last two weeks
I haven't been quite myself, and whiskey always makes me forget. I can
walk around stea