gamekeeper's heels came one of his assistants, and after him Mr. Lan

been struck him. He looked about him like a man dazed, and then carried a hand across his eyes.

in a husky voice. "I can

room. His bare feet were encased in bedroom slipper

s happened?"

, and by then the room was full. The chauffeur was sent back

en, John?" repea

He had the look of a man who is n

regarded h

you explain how this

now realized, that to save himself,

Judge, "be so g

id not think of getting into bed till nearly twelve o'clock. Before I began to undress I went to the window and opened it. As I did so I saw a man cross the lawn and

Judge, who was in his own element, and mig

e the least alarmed. He answered his uncle s

d not wish to make a fool of myself. I half expec

did you fo

d, secondly, because a man who has just learnt he is to remain a pauper for life

e Judge, "and th

he bungalow. To the bungalow, accordingly I went, as quickly as I could. I got there in

lmost incomprehensible. The boy was believed to be perfectly honest and trustworth

" prompted

window. He went straight to your desk, took the cash-box, and burst it open with the crowbar.

d up the box an

ed to swear to

," said the other-

ckets, and there sure enough he found the sov

med. "It's terrible to think that one of my

time. He could not stand by and see his old friend s

g in a flood. "A base, unmitigated lie! Uncle

e shook

or the other, before the boy has had a chance to speak in his own defenc

rried to the house, which was nearer to the bungalow than his father's cottage. By a stran

o close a range to allow the shot to scatter, and only about a quarter of the pellets had entered the boy's side, the rest tearing a great hole in his coat and waistcoat. The wou

be kept perfectly quiet, and not excited in any way. During that time he was attended with

had done their work, and Jim was allowed to get up. It was soon after that that the Judge heard the case in his dining-room, whe

cing the Judge. On either side of the table were those whom Mr. Langton proposed to ca

Urquhart stood behind his uncle's chair, regarding his old friend

et discovered that the Sunstone was missing. There was no doubt that both the door of the bungalow and the cash-box had been broken open by the crowbar--moreover, the very crowbar which the Judge himself had seen in J

that he had lent him the crowbar that very day. Asked why he supposed the Judge's nephew had become a burglar, he was unable to give an answer

ash-box, containing about twenty pounds. In Mr. Langton's opinion, the case was proved against the boy; he could not doubt that he was guilty. He said tha

d him; he was no longer a son of his. He pointed out the benefits Jim had received at the hands of Mr. Langton, and swore that he had never dreamed that such ingra

d in silence left the room. He went to his father's cottage, and there saw his mother, from whom he parted in tears. Then, shouldering the few

running forward in haste. The boy waited until his friend had come up with him. He tried to sp

in me?" sai

nd I always will! I kno

" said Jim. "I can go my

you going?"

. Anywhere, so long as I can get away from t

ny money?"

ook hi

I have." And Harry thrust into hi

nd he did so, folding it carefully and

you, sir!

o prove your innocence. I'm confident I will s

ot look young Urquhart in the face, fo

ed all anew. Under his own name, and with his old surroundings, he was disinherited, disowned, and d

ghroad, and, turning his face towards London