”Imean，didthesuggestionstrikeyouunpleasantly，orhow？””Idon’tthinkitmadeanyimpression，Sir。Iknewitwasajoke。””Ajoke！”groanedhisfather。”GoodHeavens！Whatdoyouthink——？””Oncemorepermitme，”saidMr。Raequietly，withawaveofhishandtowardtheCaptain。”Thischequeoffivepoundshasevidentlybeenalteredtofiftypounds。Thequestionis，bywhom，Mr。Allan？Canyouanswerthat？”AgainMr。Rae’seyesweresearchingtheyoungman’sface。”IhavetoldyouIremembernothingaboutthischeque。””Isitpossible，Mr。Allan，thatyoucouldhaveraisedthischequeyourselfwithoutyourknowing——？””Oh，nonsense！”saidhisfatherhotly，”whymaketheboylie？”
　　Hissonstartedasifhisfatherhadstruckhim。”Itellyouoncemore，Mr。Rae，andItellyouall，Iknownothingaboutthischeque，andthatismylastword。”Andfromthatpositionnothingcouldmovehim。”Well，”saidMr。Rae，closingtheinterview，”wehavedoneourbest。Thelawmusttakeitscourse。””GreatHeavens！”criedtheCaptain，springingtohisfeet。”Doyoumeantotellme，Allan，thatyoupersistinthiscursedfollyandwillgiveusnofurtherlight？Haveyounoregardformyname，ifnotforyourown？”Hegraspedhissonfiercelybythearm。
　　Buthissonangrilyshookoffhisgrasp。”You，”hesaid，lookinghisfatherfullintheface，”youcondemnedmebeforeyouheardawordfromme，andnowformynameorforyoursIcarenotatinker’scurse。”Andwiththisheflunghimselffromtheroom。”Followhim，”saidMr。RaetoDunn，quietly；”hewillneedyou。
　　Andkeephiminsight；itisimportant。””Allright，Sir！”saidDunn。”I’llstaywithhim。”Andhedid。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　AQUESTIONOFHONOUR
　　Mr。Raeinfortyyears’experiencehadneverbeensoseriouslydisturbed。TohisintensehumiliationhefoundhimselfabjectlyappealingtotheseniormemberofthefirmofThomlinson&Shields。
　　NotthatMr。Thomlinsonwasobdurate；inthepresenceofmereobduracyMr。Raemighthavefoundreliefintheconsciouspossessionofmoregenerousandhumaneinstinctsthanthosesupposedtobecharacteristicofthemembersofhisprofession。
　　Mr。Thomlinson，however，wasanythingbutobdurate。Hewaseagertooblige，buthewashelpless。Theinstructionshehadreceivedweresimplebutimperative，andhehadgonetounusuallengthsinsuggestingtoMr。Sheratt，themanageroftheBank，acourseofgreaterleniency。Thatgentleman’sonlyreplywasabriefordertoproceedwiththecase。
　　WithMr。Sheratt，therefore，Mr。Raeproceededtodeal。HisfirstmovewastoinvitetheBankmanagertolunch，inordertodiscusssomeratherimportantmattersrelativetooneofthegreatestatesofwhichMr。Raewassupposedtobetheguardian。Somefiftyyears’experienceofMr。SherattasboyandmanhadletMr。Raeintoasomewhatintimateknowledgeoftheworkingsofthatgentleman’smind。Underthemollifyinginfluencesofthefinestofoldport，Mr。RaemadethediscoverythataswithMr。Thomlinson，sowithMr。Sheratttherewaseverydispositiontooblige，andindeedaneagernesstoyieldtothelawyer’sdesires；itwasnotMr。Sheratt，buttheBankthatwasimmovable。Firm-fixeditstooduponitsbedrockoftraditionthatinmattersoffraud，crimeshouldbepunishedtothefulllimitofthelaw。”Theestateofthecriminal，highorlow，”saidMr。Sherattimpressively，”mattersnot。TheBankstandsupontheprinciple，andfromthisitcannotbemoved。”Mr。Sherattbegantowaxeloquent。”Fidelitytoitsconstituency，itsshareholders，itsdepositors，indeedtothegeneralpublic，isthecorner-stoneofitspolicy。TheBankofScotlandisaNationalInstitution，withacertainNationalobligation。”
　　Mr。Raequietlydrewfromhispocketapamphlet，openeditslowly，andglancedatthepage。”Ay，it’sasIthought，Mr。Sheratt，”hesaiddryly。”AttimesIwonderedwhereSirArchibaldgothisstyle。”
　　Mr。Sherattblushedlikeaboycaughtcopying。”ButnowsinceIknowwhoitisthatwritesthespeechoftheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors，tellme，Sheratt，asmantoman，isityouorisitSirArchibaldthat’satthebackofthisprosecution？Forifitisyou，I’vesomethingtosaytoyou；ifnot，I’lljustsayitwhereit’smostneeded。InsomewayorotherI’mboundtoseethisthingthrough。Thatboycan’tgotoprison。
　　Nowtellme，Tom？It’sforauldsake’ssake。””Assureasdeath，Rae，it’stheChairman，andit’sGod’struthI’mtellingye，thoughIshouldnot。”Theywerebackagainintothespeechandspiritoftheirboyhooddays。”ThenImustseeSirArchibald。Givemetimetoseehim，Tom。””It’sawasteoftime，I’mtellin’ye，buttwodaysI’llgiveye，Sandy，forauldsake’ssake，asyousay。Afriendshipofhalfahundredyearsshouldmeansomethingtous。ForyoursakeI’dlettheladgo，Godknows，andthere’smyhan’uponit，butasIsaid，thatlieswithSirArchibald。”
　　Theoldfriendsshookhandsinsilence。”Thankye，Tom，thankye，”saidMr。Rae；”Iknewit。””Butharkentome，ye’llno’moveSirArchibald，foronthisparticularpointhe’squitemad。He’dprosecutetheDukeofArgyll，hewould。Buttwodaysareyours，Sandy。AndmindwithSirArchibaldyetreathisBankwithreverence！It’saNationalInstitution，withNationalobligations，yeken？”Mr。Sheratt’swinkconveyedavolumeofmeaning。”Andmindyou，Rae，”hereMr。
　　Sherattgrewgrave，”Iamtrustingyoutoproducethatladwhenwanted。””Ihavehiminsafekeeping，Tom，andshallproducehim，nofear。”
　　Andwiththatthetwooldgentlemenparted，loyaltoalifelongfriendship，butloyalfirsttothetrustofthosetheystoodpledgedtoserve；forthefriendshipthatgivesfirstplacetohonouristheonlyfriendshipthathonourablemencanhold。
　　Mr。Raesetoffforhisofficethroughthedrizzlingrain。”Nowthen，fortheCaptain，”hesaidtohimself；”andastatehewillbein！WhydidIeversummonhimtotown？ThenforMr。Dunn，whomustkeephiseyeupontheyoungman。”
　　InhisofficehefoundCaptainCameroninastateofdistractionthatrenderedhimincapableofeithercoherentthoughtorspeech。”Whatnow，Rae？Wherehaveyoubeen？Whatnewshaveyou？MyGod，thisthingisdrivingmemad！Penalservitude！Thinkofit，man，formyson！Oh，thescandalofit！Itwillkillmeandkillhissister。What’syourreport？Come，outwithit！HaveyouseenMr。
　　Sheratt？”Hewaspacingupanddowntheofficelikeabeastinacage。”Tut，tut，CaptainCameron，”saidMr。Raelightly，”thisisnowayforasoldiertofacetheenemy。Sitdownandwewilljustlayoutourcampaign。”
　　ButtheCaptain’ssoldiering，whichwasofthelightest，hadtaughthimlittleeitherofthespiritorofthetacticsofwarfare。”Campaign！”heexclaimed。”There’snocampaignaboutit。It’sacompletesmash，horse，foot，andartillery。””Nonsense，CaptainCameron！”exclaimedMr。Raemorebrisklythanhiswont，fortheCaptainirritatedhim。”Wehavestillfightingtodo，andhencewemustplanourcampaign。Butfirstletusgetcomfortable。HereDavie，”hecalled，openingtheofficedoor，”here，mendthisfire。It’sawinter’sdaythis，”hecontinuedtotheCaptain，”andgoestothemarrow。”
　　Davie，awizened，clean-shaven，dark-visagedlittleman，appearedwithascuttleofcoal。”Ay，Davie；that’sit！Isthatcannel？””Ay，Sir，itis。Whatelse？Iayegetthecannel。””That’sright，Davie。It’sagran’coal。””Gran’it’sno’，”saidDavieshortly，whowasafierceradicalinpolitics，andwhostrovetopreservehissenseofindependenceofallsemblanceofauthoritybycultivatingahabitofdisagreement。”Gran’it’sno’，”herepeated，”butit’sthebesttheFarquharshae，thoughthat’sno’sayingmuch。It’sno’whatIcallcannel。””Well，well，Davie，itblazesfinelyatanyrate，”saidMr。Rae，determinedtobecheerful，andrubbinghishandsbeforetheblazingcoal。”Ay，itbleezes，”grumbledDavie，”whenit’sno’smootherin’。””Comethen，Davie，thatwilldo。Clearout，”saidMr。Raetotheoldservant，whowascleaningupthehearthwithgreatdiligenceandcare。
　　ButDaviewasnottobehurried。Hehadhisregularroutineinfire-mending，fromwhichnopowercouldmovehim。”Ay，Sir，”hemuttered，brushingawaywithhisfeatherbesom。”I’llclearootwhenIclearup。Whenathing’sno’dunerichtit’snoduneava。””True，Davie，trueenough；that’sanoblesentiment。Butwillthatno’donow？”Mr。RaeknewhimselftobehelplessinDavie’shands，andheknewalsothatnothingshortofviolencewouldhastenDaviefromhis”usual。””Ay，that’lldae，becauseit’srichtdune。Butthat’sno’whatI
　　callcannel，”grumbledDavie，gloweringfiercelyattheburningcoal，asifmeditatingafreshattack。”Well，well，”saidMr。Rae，”telltheFarquharsaboutit。””Ay，Sir，Iwillthat，”saidDavie，ashereluctantlytookhimselfoffwithhisscuttleandbesom。
　　TheCaptainwasburstingwithfretfulimpatience。”Impudentoldrascal！”heexclaimed。”Whydon’tyoudismisshim？””Dismisshim！”echoedMr。Raeinconsternation。”Dismisshim！”herepeated，asifponderinganentirelynewidea。”IdoubtifDaviewouldconsiderthat。Butnowletustowork。”Hesettwoarm-
　　chairsbeforethefire，andplacedaboxofcigarsbytheCaptain’selbow。”IhaveseenSheratt，”hebegan。”I’mquiteclearitisnotinhishands。””Inwhosethen？”burstforththeCaptain。
　　Mr。Raelithiscigarcarefully。”Thewholematter，Ibelieve，liesnowwiththeChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors，SirArchibaldBrodie。””Brodie！”criedtheCaptain。”Iknowhim。Pompouslittlefool！””Fool，CaptainCameron！Makenomistake。SirArchibaldmayhave——
　　ah——theself-importanceofaself-mademansomewhatundertheaverageheight，butheis，withoutdoubt，thebestfinancierthatstandsatthismomentinScotland，andduringthelastfifteenyearshehasbroughtuptheBankofScotlandtoitspresentposition。Fool！He’sanythingbutthat。Buthehashisweakspots——IwishIknewwhattheywere！——andthesewemustseektofindout。Doyouknowhimwell？””Oh，yes，quitewell，”saidtheCaptain；”thatis，I’vemethimatvariousfunctions，wherehealwaysmakesspeeches。Verycommon，I
　　callhim。Iknowhisfather；amerecottar。Imean，”addedtheCaptainhurriedly，forherememberedthatMr。Raewasofthesamehumbleorigin，”youknow，heisthoroughlyrespectableandallthat，butofno——ah——socialorfamilystanding；thatis——oh，youunderstand。””Quite，”saidMr。Raedrily。”Yes，Ishallseehim，”continuedtheCaptainbriskly。”Ishallcertainlyseehim。Itisagoodsuggestion。SirArchibaldknowsmyfamily；indeed，hisfatherwasfromtheErrachtregion。Ishallseehimpersonally。Iamgladyouthoughtofthat，Mr。Rae。Thesesmallermen，Sherattandtherest，Idonotknow——infact，Idonotseemtobeabletomanagethem，——butwithSirArchibaldtherewillbenodifficulty，Ifeelquiteconfident。Whencanyouarrangetheinterview？”
　　Mr。Raesatgazingthoughtfullyintothefire，moreandmoreconvincedeverymomentthathehadmadeafalsemoveinsuggestingameetingbetweentheCaptainandSirArchibaldBrodie。ButlabourashemighthecouldnotturntheCaptainfromhispurpose。HewasresolvedtoseeSirArchibaldattheearliestmoment，andoftheresultofthemeetinghehadnomannerofdoubt。”Heknewmyfamily，Sir，”insistedtheCaptain。”SirArchibaldwillundoubtedlyaccedetomysuggestion——ah——requesttowithdrawhisaction。Arrangeit，Mr。Rae，arrangeitatonce。”
　　AndruefullyenoughMr。Raewascompelledtoyieldagainsthisbetterjudgment。
　　ItwasdiscovereduponinquirythatSirArchibaldhadgoneforadayortwotohiscountryestate。”Ah，muchbetter，”saidtheCaptain，”awayfromhisofficeandawayfromthe——ah——commercialsurroundingsofthecity。Muchbetter，muchbetter！Weshallproceedtohiscountryhome。”
　　OfthewisdomofthisproposalMr。Raewasdoubtful。Thereseemed，however，nootherwayopen。Hence，thefollowingmorningfoundthemontheirwaytoSirArchibald’scountryseat。Mr。Raefeltthatitwasanunusualcoursetopursue，butthetimewasshort，theoccasionwasgravelycritical，anddemandedextrememeasures。
　　DuringtheirrailwayjourneyMr。RaestrovetoimpressupontheCaptain’smindtheneedofdiplomacy。”SirArchibaldisamanofstrongprejudices，”heurged；”forinstance，hisBankheregardswithanaffectionandrespectamountingtoveneration。Heisabachelor，youunderstand，andhisBankistohimwifeandbairns。
　　OnnoaccountmustyoutreathisBanklightly。””Oh，certainlynot，”repliedtheCaptain，whowasinclinedtoresentMr。Rae’sattemptstoschoolhimindiplomacy。”Heisagreatfinancier，”continuedMr。Rae，”andwithhimfinanceisahighart，andfinancialintegrityasacredobligation。””Oh，certainly，certainly，”againrepliedtheCaptain，quiteunimpressedbythisaspectofthematter，forwhileheconsideredhimselfdistinctlyamanofaffairs，yethisinterestslaymoreinmattersofgreatpublicmoment。Commercialenterprisesheregardedwithafeelingakintocontempt。Moneywasanextremelydesirable，andindeednecessary，appendagetoagentleman’sposition，buthowanymanoffinefeelingcouldcometoregardafinancialinstitutionwithaffectionorvenerationhewasincapableofconceiving。
　　However，hewaspreparedtodealconsideratelywithSirArchibald’speculiarprejudicesinthismatter。
　　Mr。Rae’sforebodingsastotheoutcomeoftheapproachinginterviewwereofthemostgloomynatureastheydrovethroughthefinelyappointedandbeautifullykeptgroundsofSirArchibaldBrodie’sestate。Theinterviewbeganinauspiciously。SirArchibaldreceivedthemwithstiffcourtesy。Hehatedtobepursuedtohiscountryhomewithbusinessmatters。Besides，atthisparticularmomenthewasdeeplyengrossedintheinspectionofhispigs，forwhichanimalshecherishedwhatmightalmostbecalledanabsorbingaffection。Mr。Rae，whowasproceedingwithdiplomaticcautionandskilltoapproachthematterinhandbywayofSirArchibald’sWiltshires，wassomewhatbrusquelyinterruptedbytheCaptain，who，inthefirmconvictionthatheknewmuchbetterthandidthelawyerhowtodealwithamanofhisownclass，plungedatonceintothesubject。”Awfullysorrytointroducebusinessmatters，SirArchibald，totheattentionofagentlemanintheprivacyofhisownhome，butthereisalittlematterinconnectionwiththeBankinwhichIamsomewhatdeeplyinterested。”
　　SirArchibaldbowedinsilence。”Rather，Ishouldsay，itconcernsmyson，andtherefore，SirArchibald，myselfandmyfamily。”
　　AgainSirArchibaldbowed。”Itis，afterall，atrivialmatter，whichIhavenodoubtcanbeeasilyarrangedbetweenus。Thetruthis，SirArchibald——，”heretheCaptainhesitated，asifexperiencingsomedifficultyinstatingthecase。”PerhapsCaptainCameronwillallowmetoplacethematterbeforeyou，SirArchibald，”suggestedMr。Rae，”asithasalegalaspectofsomegravity，indeedofveryconsiderablegravity。ItisthecaseofyoungMr。Cameron。””Ah，”saidSirArchibaldshortly。”Forgerycase，Ibelieve。””Well，”saidMr。Rae，”wehavenotbeenableasyettogetatthebottomofit。Iconfessthatthecasehascertainlyverygravefeaturesconnectedwithit，butitisbynomeansclearthat——””Thereisnoneedforfurtherstatement，Mr。Rae，”saidSirArchibald。”Iknowallaboutit。Itisaclearcaseofforgery。
　　Thefactshaveallbeenlaidbeforeme，andIhavegivenmyinstructions。””Andwhatmaythesebe，mayIinquire？”saidtheCaptainsomewhathaughtily。”Theusualinstructions，Sir，wheretheBankofScotlandisconcerned，instructionstoprosecute。”SirArchibald’slipsshutinafirm，thinline。Asfarashewasconcernedthematterwasclosed。”But，Sir，”exclaimed。theCaptain，”thisyoungmanismyson。””Ideeplyregretit，”repliedSirArchibald。”Yes，Sir，heismyson，andthehonourofmyfamilyisinvolved。”
　　SirArchibaldbowed。”Iamherepreparedtoofferthefullestreparation，toofferthemostgeneroustermsofsettlement；inshort，Iamwillingtodoanythinginreasontohavethismatter——thisunfortunatematter——
　　hushedup。””Hushedup！”exclaimedSirArchibald。”CaptainCameron，itisimpossible。Iamgrievedforyou，butIhaveadutytotheBankinthismatter。””Doyoumeantosay，Sir，”criedtheCaptain，”thatyourefusetoconsideranyarrangementorcompromiseorsettlementofanykindwhatever？Iamwillingtopaytheamounttentimesover，ratherthanhavemynamedraggedthroughlegalproceedings。””Itisquiteimpossible，”saidSirArchibald。”Come，come，SirArchibald，”saidtheCaptain，exercisinganunusualself-control；”letuslookatthisthingastwogentlemenshouldwhorespecteachother，andwhoknowwhatisduetoour——
　　ah——class。”
　　ItwasanunfortunateremarkoftheCaptain’s。”Ourclass，Sir？Ipresumeyoumeantheclassofgentlemen。Allthatisduetoourclassoranyotherclassisstrictjustice，andthatyou，Sir，oranyothergentleman，shallreceivetotheveryfullestinthismatter。ThehonouroftheBank，whichIregardasagreatNationalInstitutionchargedwithNationalresponsibilities，isinvolved，asisalsomyownpersonalhonour。Isincerelytrustyoursonmaybeclearedofeverychargeofcrime，butthiscasemustbeprosecutedtotheveryfullestdegree。””Anddoyoumeantotellme，SirArchibald，”exclaimedtheCaptain，nowinafuriouspassion，”thatforthesakeofafewpaltrypoundsyouwillblastmynameandmyfamilynameinthiscountry？——aname，Iventuretosay，notunknowninthehistoryofthisnation。TheCamerons，Sir，havefoughtandbledforKingandcountryonmanyabattlefield。Whatmattersthequestionofafewpoundsincomparisonwiththehonourofanancientandhonourablename？Youcannotpersistinthisattitude，SirArchibald！””Pounds，Sir！”criedSirArchibald，nowthoroughlyarousedbythecontemptuousreferencetowhattohimwasdearerthananythinginlife。”Pounds，Sir！Itisnoquestionofpounds，butaquestionofthehonourofaNationalInstitution，aquestionofthelivesandhappinessofhundredsofwidowsandorphans，aquestionofthehonourofanamewhichIholdasdearasyouholdyours。”
　　Mr。Raewasindespair。HelaidarestraininghandupontheCaptain，andwithdifficultyobtainedpermissiontospeak。”SirArchibald，IcraveyourindulgencewhileIputthismattertoyouastoabusinessman。Inthefirstplace，thereisnoevidencethatfraudhasbeencommittedbyyoungMr。Cameron，absolutelynone——Pardonmeamoment，SirArchibald——Thefraudhasbeencommitted，Igrant，bysomeone，butbywhomisasyetunknown。Theyoungmanforsomeweekshasbeeninastateofincapacity；amostblameworthyandindeedshamefulcondition，itistrue，butinastateofincapacitytotransactbusiness。Hedeclaresthathehasnoknowledgeofthisactofforgery。Hewillswearthis。Iampreparedtodefendhim。””Verywell，Sir，”interruptedSirArchibald，”andIhope，I
　　sincerelyhope，successfully。””Butwhileitmaybedifficulttoestablishinnocence，itwillbeequallydifficulttoestablishguilt。Meantime，theyoungman’slifeisblighted，hisnamedishonoured，hisfamilyplungedintounspeakablegrief。Iventuretosaythatitisacaseinwhichtheyoungmanmightbegiven，withoutinjurytotheBank，orwithoutbreakingthroughitstraditionalpolicy，thebenefitofthedoubt。”
　　ButSirArchibaldhadbeentoodeeplystirredbyCaptainCameron’sunfortunateremarkstocalmlyweighMr。Rae’spresentationofthecase。”Itisquiteuseless，Mr。Rae，”hedeclaredfirmly。”Thecaseisoutofmyhands，andmustbeproceededwith。Isincerelytrustyoumaybeabletoestablishtheyoungman’sinnocence。I
　　havenothingmoretosay。”
　　AndfromthispositionneitherMr。Rae’sargumentsnortheCaptain’spassionatepleadingscouldmovehim。
　　ThroughoutthereturnjourneytheCaptainragedandswore。”A
　　contemptiblecad，Sir！abase-born，low-bredcad，Sir！Whatelsecouldyouexpectfromafellowofhisbreeding？Theinsolenceoftheselowerordersisbecominginsupportable。Theidea！theveryidea！Hisbankagainstmyfamilyname，myfamilyhonour！
　　Preposterous！””Honourishonour，CaptainCameron，”repliedMr。Raefirmly，”anditmighthavebeenbetterifyouhadrememberedthatthehonourofacottar’ssonisasdeartohimasyoursistoyou。”
　　AndsuchwasMr。Rae’smannerthattheCaptainappearedtoconsideritwisetocurbhisrage，oratleastsuppressallreferencetoquestionsofhonourinasfarastheymightberelatedtothequestionofbirthandbreeding。
　　CHAPTERV
　　ALADYANDTHELAW
　　Mr。Rae’sfirstcarewastoseeMr。Dunn。ThiscasewasgettingrathermoretryingtoMr。Rae’snervesthanhecaredtoacknowledge。
　　Forasecondtimehehadbeenhumiliated，andhumiliationwasanexperiencetowhichMr。Raewasnotaccustomed。ItwasinadistinctlywrathfulframeofmindthathecalleduponMr。Dunn，andthefirstquarterofanhourofhisinterviewhespentindilatinguponhisownfollyinhavingallowedCaptainCamerontoaccompanyhimonhisvisittoSirArchibald。”InfortyyearsIneverrememberhavingmadesuchanerror，Sir。
　　Thiswasanoccasionfordiplomacy。Weshouldhavetakentime。Weshouldhavediscoveredhisweakspots；everymanhasthem。Nowitistoolate。Theonlythingleftforusisfight，andthebestwecanhopeforisaverdictofNOTPROVEN，andthatleavesastigma。””Itisterrible，”saidMr。Dunn，”andIbelieveheisinnocent。
　　HaveyouthoughtofPotts，Sir？””IhavehadPottsbeforeme，”saidMr。Rae，”andImaysafelysaythatthoughhestrikesmeasbeingamanofunusualcleverness，wecandonothingwithMr。Potts。Ofcourse，”addedMr。Raehastily，”thisisnottosayweshallnotmakeuseofMr。Pottsinthetrial，butMr。Pottscanshowfromhisbooksdebtsamountingtonearlysixtypounds。Hefranklyacknowledgesthepleasantryinsuggestingtheraisingofthefive-poundchequetofiftypounds，butoftheactitselfheprofessesentireignorance。Ifranklyowntoyou，Sir，”continuedMr。Rae，foldinghisearintoahornafterhismannerwheninperplexity，”thatthiscasepuzzlesme。Imustnottakeyourtime，”hesaid，shakingMr。Dunnwarmlybythehand。”OnethingmoreImustaskyou，however，andthatis，keepintouchwithyoungCameron。Ihavepledgedmyhonourtoproducehimwhenwanted。Furthermore，keephim——ah——ingoodcondition；cheerhimup；nervehimup；muchdependsuponhismanner。”
　　GravelyMr。Dunnacceptedthetrust，thoughwhetherhecouldfulfilithedoubted。”Keephimcheerful，”saidMr。Dunntohimself，asthedoorcloseduponMr。Rae。”Niceeasyjob，too，underthecircumstances。Let’ssee，whatisthereon？ByJove，ifIcouldonlybringhim！”ThereflashedintoMr。Dunn’smindthefactthathewasduethateveningatapartyforstudents，givenbyoneoftheprofessors，belatedbeyondtheperiodpropertosuchfunctionsbyoneofthosedomesticfelicitieswhichclaimrightofwayoverallotherhumanevents。AtthispartyCameronwasalsodue。Itwashardlylikely，however，thathewouldattend。ButtoDunn’samazementhefoundCameron，withadesperatejollitysuchasamanmightfeelthenightbeforehisexecution，eagertogo。”I’mgoing，”hecried，inanswertoDunn’ssomewhattimidsuggestion。”They’llallbethere，oldman，andIshallmakemyexitwithmucheclat，withpipeanddanceandalltherestofit。””Exit，beblowed！”saidDunnimpatiently。”Let’scutallthisnonsenseout。We’regoingintoafightforallthere’sinus。Whyshouldafellowthrowupthespongeafterthefirstround？””Fight！”saidCamerongloomily。”DidoldRaesayso？””Mostdecidedly。””Andwhatdefencedoeshesuggest？””Defence？Innocence，ofcourse。””WouldtoGodIcouldbackhimup！”groanedCameron。
　　Dunngazedathimindismay。”Andcanyounot？Youdonotmeantotellmeyouareguilty？””Oh，IwishtoheavenIknew！”criedCameronwildly。”Butthere，letitgo。Letthelawyersandthejudgepuzzleitout。’Guiltyornotguilty？’’HangedifIknow，mylord。Lookslikeguilty，butdon’tseeverywellhowIcanbe。’ThatwillbotheroldRaesome；itwouldbotherOldNickhimself。’Didyouforgethisnote？’
　　’Mylord，mypresentegorecognizesnointenttoforge；myalteregoinvinomayhavedoneso。Ofthat，however，Iknownothing；itliesinthatmysteriousregionofthesubconscious。’’Areyou，then，guilty？’’Guilt，mylord，liesinintent。Intentisthesoulofcrime。’ItwillbeaninterestingpointforMr。Raeandhislordship。””Lookhere，oldchap，”askedDunnsuddenly，”whatofPottsinthisbusiness？””Potts！Oh，hangit，Dunn，Ican’tdragPottsintothis。Itwouldbealtogethertoolow-downtothrowsuspicionuponamanwithouttheslightestground。Pottsisnotexactlyalofty-souledcreature。Infact，heispronouncedlyabounder，thoughIconfessIdidborrowmoneyofhim；butI’dborrowmoneyofthedevilwhenI’mincertainmoods。Amanmaybeabounder，however，withoutbeingacriminal。No，IhavethoughtthisthingoutasfarasI
　　can，andI’vemademymindupthatI’vegottofaceitmyself。
　　I’vebeenafool，ah，suchafool！”Ashuddershookhisframe。”Oh，Dunn，oldman，Idon’tmindformyself，Icangoouteasilyenough，butit’smylittlesister！Itwillbreakherheart，andshehasnooneelse；shewillhavetobearitallalone。””Whatdoyoumean，Cameron？”askedDunnsharply。
　　Cameronsprangtohisfeet。”Letitgo，”hecried。”Letitgoforto-night，anyway。”Heseizedadecanterwhichstoodalltooreadytohishand，butDunninterposed。”Listentome，oldman，”hesaid，inavoiceofgraveandearnestsadness，whilehepushedCameronbackintoachair。”Wehaveadesperatelyhardgamebeforeus，youandI，——thisismygame，too，——
　　andwemustbefit；so，Cameron，Iwantyourwordthatyouwillplayupforallthat’sinyou；thatyouwillcutthisthingout，”
　　pointingtothedecanter，”andwillkeepfittothelastfightingminute。Iamaskingyouthis，Cameron。Youoweittoyourself，youoweittome，youoweittoyoursister。”
　　ForsomemomentsCameronsatgazingstraightbeforehim，hisfaceshowingtheagonyinhissoul。”AsGod’sabove，Ido！Ioweittoyou，Dunn，andtoher，andtothememoryofmy——”Buthisquiveringlipscouldnotuttertheword；andtherewasnoneed，fortheybothknewthathisheartwasfarawayinthelittlemoundthatlayintheshadowofthechurchtowerintheCuaghOir。Theladrosetohisfeet，andstretchingouthishandtoDunncried，”There’smyhandandmyhonourasaHighlander，anduntilthelastfightingmomentI’llbefit。”
　　AtthepartythatnightnonewasgayerthanyoungCameron。Theshyreservethatusuallymarkedhimwasthrustaside。Hisfine，lithefigure，setoffbyhisHighlandcostume，drewalleyesinadmiration，andwhetherintheproudmarchofthepiper，orinthewildabandonoftheHighlandFling，heseemedtoalltheverybeauidealofagallantHighlandgentleman。
　　Dunnstoodinthecirclegatheredtoadmire，watchingCameron’sperformanceofthatgracefulandintricateHighlanddance，allunconsciousofapairofbrightblueeyesfastenedonhisfacethatreflectedsomanifestlythegriefandpaininhisheart。”Andwhereforethisgloom？”saidagayvoiceathisside。ItwasMissBessieBrodie。
　　PoorDunn！Hewasnotskilledinthefineartofsocialdeception。
　　Hecouldonlygazestupidlyandwithblinkingeyesuponhisquestioner，devoutlyhopingmeanwhilethatthetearswouldnotfall。”SplendidHighlander，isn’the？”exclaimedMissBessie，hastilywithdrawinghereyesfromhisface，forshewasmuchtoofinealadytolethimseehersurprise。”What？”exclaimedDunn。”Idon’tknow。Imean——yes，awfully——oh，confoundthething，it’sabeastlyshame！”
　　ThereuponMissBessieturnedherbigblueeyesslowlyuponhim。”Meaningwhat？”shesaidquietly。”Oh，Ibegpardon。I’mjustafool。Oh，hangitall！”Dunncouldnotrecoverhiscomposure。Hebackedoutofthecircleofadmirersintoadarkercorner。”Fool？”saidMissBrodie，steppingbackwithhim。”Andwhy，pray？
　　CanIknow？Isupposeit’sCameronagain，”shecontinued。”Oh，I
　　knowallaboutyouandyourmotheringofhim。””Mothering！”saidDunnbitterly。”Thatisjustwhatheneeds，byJove。Hismotherhasbeendeadthesefiveyears，andthat’sbeentheruinofhim。”
　　ThecheersfromCameron’sadmirersbrokeinuponDunn’sspeech。”Oh，it’stooghastly，”hemuttered。”Isitreallysobad？Can’tIhelp？”criedMissBrodie。”YouknowI’vehadsomeexperiencewithboys。”
　　AsDunnlookedintoherhonest，kindlyeyeshehesitated。Shouldhetellher？Hewasinsoreneedofcounsel，andbesideshewasatthelimitofhisself-control。”Isay，”hesaid，staringather，whilehislipsquivered，”I’dlikeawfullytotellyou，butIknowifIeverbeginIshalljustburstintotearsbeforethisgapingcrowd。””Tears！”exclaimedMissBessie。”Notyou！Andifyoudiditwouldn’thurteitherthemoryou。AnInternationalcaptainpossessesthisadvantageoverothermortals：thathemayburstintotearsoranythingelsewithoutlosingcaste，whereasifIshoulddoanysuchthing——Butcome，let’sgetsomewhereandtalkitover。
　　Now，then，”saidMissBrodieastheyfoundaquietcorner，”firstofall，oughtItoknow？””You’llknow，allEdinburghwillknowtimedayafterto-morrow，”
　　saidDunn。”Allright，then，itcan’tdoanyharmformetoknowto-night。Itpossiblymaydogood。””Itwilldomegood，anyway，”saidDunn，”forIhavereachedmylimit。”
　　ThenDunntoldher，andwhileshelistenedshegrewgraveandanxious。”Butsurelyitcanbearranged！”sheexclaimed，afterhehadfinished。”No，Mr。Raehastriedeverything。TheBankisboundtopursueittothebitterend。Itisapparentlyapartofitspolicy。””WhatBank？””TheBankofScotland。””Why，that’smyuncle’sBank！Imean，heistheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors，andtheBankistheappleofhiseye；oroneofthem，Imean——I’mtheother。””Oh，both，Ifancy，”saidDunn，ratherpleasedwithhisowncourage。”Butcome，thisisserious，”saidMissBrodie。”TheBank，youknow，oryoudon’tknow，ismyuncle’sweakspot。”
　　Mr。Rae’swordsflashedacrossDunn’smind：”Weoughttohavefoundhisweakspots。””Hesays，”continuedMissBrodiewithasmile——”youknowhe’sanolddear！——IdividehisheartwiththeBank，thatIhavetheleftlobe。Isn’tthatthebiggerone？SotheBankandIarehisweakspots；unlessitishisWiltshires——heisdevotedtoWiltshires。””Wiltshires？””Pigs。TherearetimeswhenIfeelmyselfdistinctlysecondtothem。AreyousuremyuncleknowsallaboutCameron？””Well，Mr。RaeandCaptainCameron——that’syoungCameron’sfather——
　　wentouttohisplace——””Ah，thatwasamistake，”saidMissBrodie。”Hehatespeoplefollowinghimtothecountry。Well，whathappened？””Mr。RaefeelsthatitwasratheramistakethatCaptainCameronwentalong。””Whyso？Heishisfather，isn’the？””Yes，heis，thoughI’mboundtosayhe’sratherqueerforafather。”WhereuponDunngaveheranaccountofhisinterviewinMr。Rae’soffice。
　　MissBrodiewasindignant。”Whatashame！Andwhatafool！Why，heistentimesmorefoolthanhisson；formarkyou，hissonisundoubtedlyafool，andaselfishfoolatthat。Ican’tbearayoungfoolwhosacrificesnotsimplyhisownlife，buttheinterestsofallwhocareforhim，forsomelittlepetselfishnessofhisown。Butthisfatherofhisseemstobeevenworsethantheson。Familynameindeed！AndIventuretosayheexpatiateduponthegloryofhisfamilynametomyuncle。Ifthere’sonethingthatmyunclegoesquitemadaboutitisthisaffectationofsuperiorityonthegroundofthecolourofaman’sblood！Nowonderherefusedtowithdrawtheprosecution！WhatcouldMr。Raehavebeenthinkingabout？Whatfoolsmenare！””Quitetrue，”murmuredMr。Dunn。”Somemen，Imean，”criedMissBrodiehastily。”IwishtoheavenI
　　hadseenmyunclefirst！””Isupposeit’stoolatenow，”saidDunn，withakindofgloomywistfulness。”Yes，Ifearso，”saidMissBrodie。”Youseewhenmyunclemakesuphismindheappearstohavesomereligiousscruplesagainstchangingit。””Itwasaghastlymistake，”saidDunnbitterly。”Lookhere，Mr。Dunn，”saidMissBrodie，turninguponhimsuddenly，”Iwantyourstraightopinion。Doyouthinkthisyoungmanguilty？”
　　TheywerebothlookingatCameron，atthatmomentthecentreofagroupofopenadmirers，hisboyishfaceallaglowwithanimation。
　　Forthetimebeingitseemedasifhehadforgottentheterriblecatastropheoverhanginghim。”IfIhadn’tknownCameronforthreeyears，”repliedDunnslowly，”Iwouldsayoffhandthatthisthingwouldbeimpossibletohim；
　　butyouseeyouneverknowwhatamanindrinkwilldo。CameroncancarryabottleofScotchwithoutastagger，butofcourseitknockshisheadalltopieces。Imean，heisquiteincapableofanythinglikeclearthought。””Itistrulyterrible，”saidMissBrodie。”IwishIhadknownyesterday，butthosemenhavespoiltitall。Buthere’s’Lily’
　　Laughton，”shecontinuedhurriedly，”comingforhisdance。”Asshespokeayouthofwillowyfigure，languishingdarkeyesandladylikemannerdrewnear。”Well，hereyouareatlast！WhatahuntIhavehad！Iamquiteexhausted，Iassureyou，”criedtheyouth，fanninghimselfwithhishandkerchief。”Andthoughyouhavequiteforgottenit，thisisourdance。Whatcanyoutwohavebeentalkingabout？Butwhyask？
　　Thereisonlyonethemeuponwhichyoucouldbecomesoterrificallyserious。””Andwhatisthat，pray？Browning？”inquiredMissBrodiesweetly。”DearMissBrodie，ifyouonlywould，but——ugh！——”here”Lily”
　　shuddered，”Icaninfancypicturethegorysceneinwhichyouhavebeenrevellingforthelasthour！”And”Lily’s”handsomefaceandlanguid，liquideyesindicatedhishorror。Itwas”Lily’s”
　　constantdeclarationthathe”positivelyloathed”football，althoughhispersistentattendanceatallthegreatmatchesratherbeliedthisdeclaration。”Itistheonethinginyou，MissBessie，thatIdeplore，’theflyinthepot——’no，’theflaw——’ah，that’sbetter——’theflawinthematchlesspearl。’””Howsweetofyou，”murmuredMissBrodie。”Yes，indeed，”continued”Lily，”wreathinghistaperingfingers，”itisyourdevotiontothoseso-calledathleticgames，——games！yegods！——thechiefqualificationsforexcellenceinwhichappeartobebrutestrengthandablood-thirstydisposition；aswitnessDunnthere。IwaspositivelyhorrifiedlastInternational。Therehewas，ourownquiet，domestic，gentleDunn，ragingthroughthathowlingmobofsavageslikeabloodyBengaltiger——Ratherapt，that！——Atrulyawfulanddegradingexhibition！””Ah，perfectlylovely！”murmuredMissBrodieecstatically。”Icanseehimyet。””MissBrodie，howcanyou！”exclaimed”Lily，”castinguphiseyesinhorrortowardsheaven。”Butitwaseverthus！Inancientdaysuponthebloodysandsofthearena，fairladieswerewonttogazewithunrelentingeyesandthumbsturneddown——orup，wasit——？””Excellent！Buthowcleverofthemtogazewiththeirthumbsinthatway！””Pleasedon’tinterrupt，”said”Lily”severely；”Ihavejust’struckmygait，’asthatbarbaricyoungColonial，Martin，anotherofyourbloody，brawnyband，wouldsay。Andhereyousit，unblushing，gloryingintheirdisgustingdeedsandmakingloveopenandunabashedtotheircaptain！””Goaway，’Lily’orI’llhurtyou，”criedDunn，hisfaceabrilliantcrimson。”Come，getout！””Butdon’tbeuplifted，”continued”Lily，”ignoringhim，”youarenotthefirst。Bynomeans！ItisalwaysthelastInternationalcaptain，andhasbeentomycertainknowledgeforthelasttenyears。””Tenyears！”exclaimedMissBrodieinhorrifiedaccents。”Youmonster！Ifyouhavenoregardformycharacteryoumightatleastrespectmyage。””Age！DearMissBrodie，”ejaculated”Lily，””whocouldeverassociateagewithyourperennialyouth？””Perennial！Wretch！IfthereisanythingIamsensitiveabout，reallysensitiveabout，itismyage！Mr。Dunn，Ibeseechyou，savemefromfurtherinsult！Dear’Lily，’runawaynow。Youaremuchtootiredtodance，andbesidesthereisMrs。Craig-UrquhartwaitingtotalkyourbelovedWagner-Tennysontheory；orwhatistheexactcombination？Mendelssohn-Browning，isit？””Oh，MissBessie！”cried”Lily”inashockedvoice。”howcanyou？
　　Mendelssohn-Browning！Howawful！Dohavesomeregardfortheaffinities。””Mr。Dunn，Iimploreyou，saveme！Icanbearnomore。There！A
　　mercifulprovidencehasaccomplishedmydeliverance。Theyaregoing。Good-night，’Lily。’Runawaynow。IwantawordwithMr。
　　Dunn。””Oh，heartlesscruelty！”exclaimed”Lily，”inanagonisedvoice。”Butwhatcanyouexpectfromsuchassociations？”AndhehastenedawaytohavealastwordwithMrs。Craig-Urquhart，whowasswimminglanguidlyby。
　　MissBrodieturnedeagerlytoDunn。”I’dliketohelpyouawfully，”shesaid；”indeedImusttry。Ihaveverylittlehope。
　　Myuncleissostrongwhenheisonceset，andheissofunnyaboutthatBank。ButaboyisworthmorethanaBank，ifheISafool；
　　besides，thereishissister。Good-night。Thanksforlettingmehelp。Ihavelittlehope，butto-morrowIshallseeSirArchibald，and——andhispigs。”
　　ItwasstillintheearlyforenoonofthefollowingdaywhenMissBrodiegreetedheruncleashewasabouttostartuponhisroundofthepasturesandpenswheretheWiltshiresofvariousagesandsizesandsexeswerekept。WiththeutmostenthusiasmMissBrodieenteredintohisadmirationofthemall，fromthelordlyprizetuskertothegreatmotherlyingbroadsideoningruntingandsupremecontent，everygrunteloquentofhappinessandmaternalloveandpride，toallowherweek-oldbroodtoprodandpunchherluxuriantdugsfortheirbreakfast。
　　BythetimetheyhadmadetheirroundsSirArchibaldhadarrivedathismostcomfortableandcomplacentmood。Helovedhisniece。Helovedherforthesakeofhisdeadbrother，andasshegrewinyears，hecametoloveherforherself。Hersturdyindependentfearlessness，hersoundsense，herhonestheart，andchiefly，ifitmustbetold，herwhole-souleddevotiontohimself，madeforheragreatspaceinhisheart。Andbesidesallthis，theywerebothinterestedtothepointofdevotioninpigs。Ashewatchedhisniecehandlingthelittlesucklingswithtendercare，andlistenedtoherappraisingtheirvaryingmeritswithadiscriminatingjudgment，hisheartfilledupwithprideinhermanyaccomplishmentsandcapabilities。”Isn’tshehappy，Uncle？”sheexclaimed，liftingherbrown，sunnyfacetohim。”Ay，lassie，”repliedSirArchibald，lapsingintothekindly”braidScots，””Ikenfinehowshefeels。””She’sjustperfectlyhappy，”saidhisniece，”andawfullyusefulandgood。Sheisjustlikeyou，Uncle。””What？Oh，thankyou，I’mextremelyflattered，Iassureyou。””Uncle，youknowwhatImean！Usefulandgood。Hereyouareinthislovelyhome——howlovelyitisonawarm，shinydaylikethis！——
　　safefromcaresandworries，wherepeoplecan’tgetatyou，andmaking——””Ah，Idon’tknowaboutthat，”repliedheruncle，shakinghisheadwithafrown。”Somepeoplehaveneithersensenormanners。OnlyyesterdayIwaspesteredbyafellowwhoannoyedme，seriouslyannoyedme，interferinginaffairswhichheknewnothingof，——
　　actuallytheaffairsoftheBank！——pratingabouthisfamilyname，andalltherestofit。Familyname！”Here，itmustbeconfessed，SirArchibalddistinctlysnorted，quiteinamannercalculatedtoexcitetheenvyofanyofhisWiltshires。”Iknow，Uncle。Heisafool，aconceitedfool，andaselfishfool。””Youknowhim？”inquiredheruncleinatoneofsurprise。”No，Ihavenopersonalacquaintancewithhim，I’mgladtosay，butIknowabouthim，andIknowthathecamewithMr。Rae，theWriter。””Ah，yes！Thoroughlyrespectableman，Mr。Rae。””Yes，Mr。Raeisallright；butCaptainCameron——oh，Ican’tbearhim！Hecametotalktoyouabouthisson，andIventuretosayhetookmostofthetimeintalkingabouthimself。””Exactlyso！Buthow——？””And，Uncle，Iwanttotalktoyouaboutthatmatter，aboutyoungCameron。”ForjustamomentMissBrodie’scouragefalteredassheobservedheruncle’sfigurestiffen。”Iwantyoutoknowtherightsofthecase。””Now，now，mydear，don’tyougo——ah——””Iknow，Uncle，youweregoingtosay’interfering，’onlyyourememberintimethatyournieceneverinterferes。Isn’tthattrue，Sir？””Yes，yes！Isupposeso；thatis，certainly。””NowIaminterestedinthisyoungCameron，andIwantyoutogettherightviewofhiscase，whichneitheryourlawyernoryourmanagernorthatfoolfatherofhiscangiveyou。IknowthatifyouseethiscaseasIseeityouwilldo——ah——exactlywhatisright；youalwaysdo。”
　　MissBrodie’svoicehadassumeditsmostreasonableandbusiness-
　　liketone。SirArchibaldwasimpressed，andannoyedbecausehewasimpressed。”Lookhere，Bessie，”hesaid，inasimpatientatoneasheeveradoptedwithhisniece，”youknowhowIhatebeingpesteredwithbusinessaffairsouthere。””Iknowquitewell，Uncle，andIregretitawfully，butIknow，too，thatyouareamanofhonour，andthatyoustandforfairplay。Butthatyoungmanistobearrestedto-day，andyouknowwhatthatwillmeanforayoungfellowwithhiswaytomake。”
　　Herappealwasnotwithoutitseffect。SirArchibaldsethimselftogiveherseriousattention。”Letushaveit，then，”hesaid。
　　briefly。”Whatdoyouknowoftheyoungman？””Thisfirstofall：thathehasaselfish，conceitedprigforafather。”
　　WithwhichbeginningSirArchibaldmostheartilyagreed。”Buthowdoyouknow？””Now，letmetellyouabouthim。”AndMissBrodieproceededtodescribethescenebetweenfatherandsoninMr。Rae’soffice，withvigorousandilluminatingcomments。”Andjustthink，themaninthecompanywhowasfirsttocondemntheyoungchapwashisownfather。Wouldyoudothat？You’dstandforhimagainstthewholeworld，evenifhewerewrong。””Steady，steady，lass！””Youwould，”repeatedMissBessie，withindignantemphasis。”WouldyouchuckmeoverifIweredisgracedandalltheworldhoundingme？Wouldyou？””No，byGod！”saidSirArchibaldinasuddentempestofemotion，andMissBessiesmiledlovinglyuponhim。”Well，that’sthekindofafatherhehas。Nowabouttheyoungfellowhimself：He’sjustafirst-classfool，likemostyoungfellows。Youknowhowtheyare，Uncle。”
　　SirArchibaldhelduphishand。”Don’tmakeanysuchassumptions。””Oh，Iknowyou，andwhenyouwereaboyyouwerejustasgayandfoolishastherestofthem。”
　　Herarch，accusingsmilesuddenlycastarichglowofwarmcolouroverthelong，greyroadofSirArchibald’syouthofself-denialandstruggle。Themildindulgencesofhisearlyyears，underthetransforminginfluenceofthatsamearchandaccusingsmile，tookonforSirArchibaldsuchanaspectofwildandhilariousgaietyastoimpartatoneofhesitationtohisvoicewhilehedeprecatedhisniece’scharge。”What，I？Nonsense！Whatdoyouknowaboutit？Well，well，wehaveallhadourday，Isuppose！””Aha！Iknowyou，andIshouldlovetohaveknownyouwhenyouwereyoungCameron’sage。ThoughI’mquitesureyouwereneversuchafoolashe。Youalwaysknewhowtotakecareofyourself。”
　　Heruncleshookhisheadasiftoindicatethatthelesssaidaboutthosegayyoungdaysthebetter。”Nowwhatdoyouthinkthisyoungfooldoes？Getsdrinking，andgetssomuddledupinallhismoneymatters——he’saHighlander，youknow，andDunn，Mr。Dunnsays——””Dunn！””Yes，Mr。Dunn，thegreatInternationalcaptain，youknow！Mr。
　　DunnsayshecantakeawholebottleofScotch——””What，Dunn？””No，no；youknowperfectlywell，Uncle！ThisyoungCameroncantakeawholebottleofScotchandwalkacrack，buthisheadgetsawfullymuddled。””Shouldn’tbesurprised！””AndMr。DunnhadaterribletimekeepinghimfitfortheInternational。YouknowhewasDunn’shalf-back。Yes，”criedhisniecewithenthusiasm，suddenlyrememberingatraditionthatinhisyouthSirArchibaldhadbeenafamousquarter，hisoneindulgence，”aglorioushalf-back，too！YoumustrememberinthematchwithEnglandlastfallthebrilliantworkofthehalf-back。Everybodywentmadabouthim。ThatwasyoungCameron！””Youdon’ttellme！Theleft-halfintheEnglishInternationallastfall？””Yes，indeed！Oh，he’swonderful！Buthehastobewatched，youknow，andtheyoungfoollostusthelast——”MissBessieabruptlycheckedherself。”Butnevermind！Well，aftertheseason，youknow，hegotgoingloose，andthisistheresult。Owedmoneyeverywhere，andwiththetrueHighlandincapacityforbusiness，andthetrueHighlandcapacityfortrustingpeople——””Huh！”gruntedSirArchibaldindisapproval。”——Whenhisheadisinamuddledconditionhedoessomethingorothertoacheque——ordoesn’tdoit，nobodyknows——andthereheisinthisawfulfix。Personally，Idon’tbelieveheisguiltyofthecrime。””Andwhy，pray？””Why？Well，Mr。Dunn，hiscaptain，whohasknownhimforyears，saysitisquiteimpossible；andthentheyoungmanhimselfdoesn’tdenyit。””What？DoesNOTdenyit？””Exactly！Likeaperfectlystraightforwardgentleman，——andIthinkit’sawfullyfineofhim，——thoughhehasaperfectlygoodchancetoputthethingona——afellowPotts，quiteadoubtfulcharacter，hesimplysays，’Iknownothingaboutit。Thatlookslikemysignature。Ican’trememberdoingthis，don’tknowhowIcouldhave，butdon’tknowathingaboutit。’Thereyouare，Uncle！AndMr。Dunnsaysheisquiteincapableofit。””Mr。Dunn，eh？ItseemsyoubuildsomewhatbroadlyuponMr。Dunn。”
　　ThebrownonMissBessie’scheckdeepenedslightly。”Well，Mr。
　　Dunnisasplendidjudgeofmen。””Ah；andofyoungladies，also，Iimagine，”saidSirArchibald，pinchinghercheek。
　　Itmayhavebeenthepinch，buttheflushonhercheekgrewdistinctlybrighter。”Don’tberidiculous，Uncle！He’sjustaboy，aperfectlysplendidboy，andgloriousinhisgame，butamereboy，and——well，youknow，I’vearrivedattheageofdiscretion。””Quitetrue！”musedheruncle。”Thirtylastbirthday，wasit？Howtimedoes——！””Oh，youperfectlyhorriduncle！Thirtyindeed！Areyounotashamedtoaddtothealreadyintolerableburdenofmyyears？
　　Thirty！No，Sir，notbyfivegoodyearsatleast！Therenow，you’vemademetellmyage！Yououghttoblushforshame。”
　　Herunclepattedherfirm，roundcheek。”Neverablush，mydear！
　　Youbearevenyouradvancedagewithquitesufficienteaseandgrace。ButnowaboutthisyoungCameron，”hecontinued，assumingasternlyjudicialtone。”AllIaskforhimisachance，”saidhisnieceearnestly。”Achance？Whyhewillgeteverychancethelawallowstoclearhimself。””Thereyouare！”exclaimedMissBessie，inadespairingtone。”That’sthewaythelawyersandyourmanagertalk。Theycoollyandwithoutaqualmgethimarrested，thisyoungboywhohasneverinallhislifeshownanysignofcriminaltendency。Thesehorridlawyersdisplaytheirdreadfulastutenessandabilityincatchingaladwhonevertriestorunaway，andyourmanagerpleadstherulesoftheBank。Therules！Fancyrulesagainstayoungboy’swholelife！”
　　Heruncleratherwincedatthis。”Andlikealotofsheeptheyfolloweachotherinacircle；thereisabsolutelynoindependence，noinitiative。Why，theyevenwentsofarastosuggestthatyoucoulddonothing，thatyouwereboundbyrulesandmustfollowliketherestofthem；butItoldthemI
　　knewbetter。””Ah！”saidSirArchibaldinhismostdignifiedmanner。”ItrustI
　　haveamindofmyown，but——””Exactly！SoIsaidtoMr。Dunn。’Rulesornorules，’Isaid，’myunclewilldothefairthing。’AndIknowyouwill，”criedMissBrodietriumphantly。”Andifyoulookatit，there’saverybigchancethattheboyneverdidthething，andcertainlyifhediditatallitwaswhenhewasquiteincapable。Oh，Iknowquitewellwhatthelawyerssay。Theygobythelaw，——they’vegotto，——butyou——and——and——Igobythe——therealfactsofthecase。”SirArchibaldcoughedgently。”Imeantosay——wellyouknow，Uncle，quitewell，youcantellwhatamanisby——well，byhisgame。””Hisgame！””Andbyhiseye。””Hiseye！Andhiseyeis——？””Now，Uncle，besensible！Imeantosay，ifyoucouldonlyseehim。Oh，Ishallbringhimtoseeyou！”shecried，withasuddeninspiration。
　　SirArchibaldheldupadeprecatinghand。”Donot，Ibeg。””Well，Uncle，youcantrustmyjudgment，youknowyoucan。Youwouldtrustmein——in——”ForamomentMissBrodiewasataloss；
　　thenhereyesfelluponthegrunting，comfortableoldmotherpigwithherindustriouslitter。”Well，don’tIknowgoodWiltshireswhenIseethem？””Quitetrue，”repliedherunclesolemnly；”andtherefore，men。””Uncle，you’reverynearlyrude。””Iapologise，”repliedherunclehastily。”Butnow，Bessie，mydeargirl，seriously，astothiscase，youmustunderstandthatI
　　cannotinterfere。TheBank——hem——theBankisagreatNational——”
　　MissBessiesawthattheGuardswerebeingcalledupon。Shehastenedtobringupherreserves。”Iknow，Uncle，Iknow！I
　　wouldn’tfortheworldsayawordagainsttheBank，butyouseethecaseagainsttheladisatleastdoubtful。””Iwasgoingontoobserve，”resumedheruncle，judicially，”thattheBank——””Don’tmisunderstandme，Uncle，”criedhisniece，realisingthatshehadreachedamomentofcrisis。”YouknowIwouldnotforamomentpresumetointerferewiththeBank，but”——hereshedeployedherwholeforce，——”thelad’syouthandfolly；hispreviousgoodcharacter，guaranteedbyDunn，whoknowsmen；hisgloriousgame——nomanwhowasn’tstraightcouldplaysuchagame！——thelargechanceofhisinnocence，thesmallchanceofhisguilt；thehide-boundrigidityoflawyersandbankmanagers，dominatedbymererulesandroutine，incontrastwiththeopen-mindedindependenceofheruncle；theboy’sutterhelplessness；hisownfatherhavingbeenreadytobelievetheworst，——justthinkofit，Uncle，hisownfatherthinkingofhimselfandofhisfamilyname——muchhehaseverdoneforhisfamilyname！——andnotofhisownboy，and”——hereMissBrodie’svoicetookalowerkey——”andhismotherdiedsomefiveorsixyearsago，whenhewasthirteenorfourteen，andIknow，youknow，thatishardonaboy。”Inspiteofherself，andtoherdisgust，atremorcameintohervoiceandarushoftearstohereyes。
　　Herunclewassmittenwithdismay。Onlyononeterribleoccasionsinceshehademergedfromherteenshadheseenhisnieceintears。Thememoryofthatterribledaysweptoverhissoul。
　　Somethingdesperatewasdoing。Hardasthelittlemanwastotheworldagainstwhichhehadfoughthiswaytohispresentpositionofdistinction，tohisniecehewassoft-heartedasamother。”There，there！”heexclaimedhastily。”We’llgivetheboyachance。Nomother，eh？Andaconfoundedprigforafather！Nowondertheboygoesallwrong！”Thenwithasuddenvehemencehecried，strikingonehandintotheother，”No，by——！thatis，wewillcertainlygivetheladthebenefitofthedoubt。Cheerup，lassie！You’venoneedtolookashamed，”forhisniecewaswipinghereyesinmanifestdisgust；”indeed，”hesaid，withaheavyattemptatplayfulness，”youareamostexcellentdiplomat。””Diplomat，Uncle！”criedthegirl，vehementindignationinhervoiceandface。”Diplomat！”shecriedagain。”Youdon’tmeanthatI’venotbeenquitesincere？””No，no，no；notintheleast，mydear！Butthatyouhaveputyourcasewithadmirableforce。””Oh，”saidthegirlwithabreathofrelief，”IjustputitasI
　　feelit。Anditisnotabitmyputtingit，Uncle，butitisjustthatyouareadearand——well，arealsport；youlovefairplay。”
　　Thegirlsuddenlythrewherstrong，youngarmsaboutheruncle’sneck，drewhimclosetoher，andkissedhimalmostasifshehadbeenhismother。
　　Thelittlemanwasdeeplytouched，butwithtrueScotchhorrorofademonstrationhecried，”Tut，tut，lassie，ye’remakin’anauldfuleo’youruncle。Comenow，besensible！””Sensible！”echoedhisniece，kissinghimagain。”That’smylivingdescriptionamongallmyacquaintance。Itistheirgentlewayofremindingmethattheordinaryfemininegracesofsweetnessandgenerallovelinessaredeniedme。””Andmorefoolsthey！”gruntedheruncle。”You’reworththehalecaboodleo’them。”
　　Thatsameeveningtherewereotherswhosharedthisopinion，andnonemoreenthusiasticallythandidMr。Dunn，whomMissBrodiechancedtomeetjustassheturnedoutoftheWaverlyStation。”Oh，Mr。Dunn，”shecried，”howveryfortunate！”Herfaceglowedwithexcitement。”Forme；yes，indeed！”saidMr。Dunn，warmlygreetingher。”Forme，foryoungCameron，forusall，”saidMissBrodie。”Oh，Rob，isthatyou？”shecontinued，ashereyefellupontheyoungsterstandingwithcapoffwaitingherrecognition。”Lookatthis！”sheflashedaletterbeforeDunn’sface。”Whatdoyouthinkofthat？”
　　Dunntooktheletter。”It’stoSheratt，”hesaid，withapuzzledair。”Yes，”criedMissBrodie，mimickinghistone，”it’stoSheratt，fromSirArchibald，anditmeansthatCameronissafe。Thepolicewillnever——””Thepolice，”criedDunn，hastily，gettingbetweenyoungRobandherandglancingathisbrother，whostoodlookingfromonetotheotherwithastartledface。”Howstupid！Thepoliceareatrulywonderfulbodyofmen，”shewentonwithenthusiasm。”Theylooksosplendid。IsawsomeofthemasIcamealong。Butnevermindthemnow。Aboutthisletter。
　　What’stodo？”
　　Dunnglancedathiswatch。”Weneedeveryminute。”HestoodamomentortwothinkingdeeplywhileMissBrodiechattedeagerlywithRob，whosefaceretaineditsstartledandanxiouslook。”FirsttoMr。Rae’soffice。Come！”criedMr。Dunn。”Butthisletteroughttogo。””Yes，butfirstMr。Rae’soffice。”Mr。Dunnhadassumedcommand。
　　Hiswordsshotoutlikebullets。
　　MissBrodieglancedathimwithanewadmirationinherface。Asarulesheobjectedtobeingorderedabout，butsomehowitseemedgoodtoacceptcommandsfromthisyoungman，whoseusuallygenialfacewasnowsetinsuchresolutelines。”Here，Rob，youcuthomeandtellthemnottowaitdinnerforme。””Allright，Jack！”Butinsteadoftearingoffaswashiswontwheneverhisbrothergavecommand，Roblingered。”Can’tIwaitabit，Jack，tosee——toseeifanything——？”Robwasstrivinghardtokeephisvoiceincommandandhisfacesteady。”It’sCameron，Jack。Iknow！”HeturnedhisbackonMissBrodie，unwillingthatsheshouldseehislipsquiver。”Whatareyoutalkingabout？”saidhisbrothersharply。”Oh，itisallmystupidfault，Mr。Dunn，”saidMissBrodie。”Lethimcomealongabitwithus。Isay，youngster，youaremuchtooacute，”shecontinued，astheywentstridingalongtogethertowardMr。Rae’soffice。”ButwillyoubelievemeifItellyousomething？
　　Willyou？Straightnow？”
　　Theboyglancedupintoherhonestblueeyes，andnoddedhishead。”YourfriendCameronisquiteallright。Hewasinsomedifficulty，butnowhe’squiteallright。Doyoubelieveme？”
　　Theboylookedagainsteadilyintohereyes。Theanxiousfearpassedoutofhisface，andoncemorehenodded；heknewhecouldnotkeephisvoicequitesteady。Butafterafewpaceshesaidtohisbrother，”IthinkI’llgonow，Jack。”Hismindwasatrest；
　　hisidolwassafe。”Oh，comealongandprotectme，”criedMissBrodie。”Theselawyerpeopleterrifyme。”
　　Theboysmiledahappysmile。”I’llgo，”hesaidresolutely。”Thanks，awfully，”saidMissBrodie。”Ishallfeelsomuchsaferwithyouinthewaitingroom。”
　　ItwasadifficultmattertosurpriseMr。Rae，andevenmoredifficulttoextractfromhimanysignofsurprise，butwhenDunn，leavingMissBrodieandhisbrotherintheanteroom，enteredMr。
　　Rae’sprivateofficeandlaidtheletterforMr。Sherattbeforehim，remarking，”ThisletterisfromSirArchibald，andwithdrawstheprosecution，”Mr。Raestoodspeechless，gazingnowattheletterinhishand，andnowatMr。Dunn’sface。”Godblessmysoul！Thisisunheardof。Howcameyoubythis，Sir？””MissBrodie——”beganDunn。”MissBrodie？””Sheisinthewaitingroom，Sir。””Then，forheaven’ssake，bringherin！Davie，Davie！Whereisthatmannow？Here，Davie，amessagetoMr。Thomlinson。”
　　Davieenteredwithdeliberatecomposure。”MycomplimentstoMr。Thomlinson，andaskifhewouldstepoveratonce。Itisamatterofextremeurgency。Bequick！”
　　ButDaviehadhisownmindastothefitnessofthings。”Wadanoteno’bebetter，Sir？Wullnot——？””Go，willyou！”almostshoutedMr。Rae。
　　DaviewassostartledatMr。Rae’sunusualvehemencethatheseizedhiscapandmadeforthedoor。”He’llno’comeforthelikeo’
　　me，”hesaid，pausingwiththedoor-knobinhishand。”It’sno’
　　respectableliketae——””Man，willyeno’begone？”criedMr。Rae，risingfromhischair。”Iwillthat！”exclaimedDavie，bangingthedoorafterhim。”But，”
　　hecriedfuriously，thrustinghisheadoncemoreintotheroom，”ifhe’llno’comeit’sno’fauto’mine。”Hisvoicerosehigherandhigher，andendedinawrathfulscreamasMr。Rae，driventodesperation，hurledalawbookofsomeweightathisvanishinghead。”Thede’iltakeye！Ye’llbemydeithyet。”
　　Thebookwentcrashingagainstthedoor-framejustasMissBrodiewasabouttoenter。”Isay，”shecried，dartingback。”Heavenprotectme！Rob，saveme！”
　　Robsprangtoherside。ShestoodforamomentgazingaghastatMr。Dunn，whogazedbackatherinequalsurprise。”Isthishis’usual’？”sheinquired。
　　Atthatthedooropened。”Ah，Mr。Dunn，thisisMissBrodie，I
　　suppose。Comein，comein！”Mr。Rae’smannerwasmostbland。