Corporal Cameron

inson & Shields. Not that Mr. Thomlinson was obdurate; in the presence of mere obduracy Mr. Rae might have found relief in the conscious possession of more generous and humane in

ual lengths in suggesting to Mr. Sheratt, the manager of the Bank, a course of great

ence of Mr. Sheratt as boy and man had let Mr. Rae into a somewhat intimate knowledge of the workings of that gentleman's mind. Under the mollifying influences of the finest of old port, Mr. Rae made the discovery that as with Mr. Thomlinson, so with Mr. Sheratt there was

s it cannot be moved." Mr. Sheratt began to wax eloquent. "Fidelity to its constituency, its shareholders, its depositors, indeed to the

and glanced at the page. "Ay, it's as I thought, Mr. Sheratt," he s

shed like a boy

is it Sir Archibald that's at the back of this prosecution? For if it is you, I've something to say to you; if not, I'll just say it where it's

truth I'm telling ye, though I should not." They were ba

Archibald. Give me

you say. A friendship of half a hundred years should mean something to us. For your sake I'd let

ds shook hand

hank ye," said Mr

ys are yours, Sandy. And mind with Sir Archibald ye treat his Bank with reverence! It's a National Institution, with National obligations, ye ken?" M

eping, Tom, and shall

yal first to the trust of those they stood pledged to serve; for the friendship th

Captain," he said to himself; "and a state he will be in! Why did I ever sum

have you been? What news have you? My God, this thing is driving me mad! Penal servitude! Think of it, man, for my son! Oh, the scandal of it! It will ki

, "this is no way for a soldier to face the enemy

either of the spirit or of the tactics of warfare. "Campaign!" he exclaimed. "T

fighting to do, and hence we must plan our campaign. But first let us get comfortable. Here Davie," he called, opening

d little man, appeared with a scuttle of co

What else? I ay

, Davie. It's

nse of independence of all semblance of authority by cultivating a habit of disagreement. "Gran' it's no'," h

te," said Mr. Rae, determined to be cheerful,

umbled Davie, "when

aid Mr. Rae to the old servant, who was cleani

ch no power could move him. "Ay, Sir," he muttered, brushing away with his feather be

o now?" Mr. Rae knew himself to be helpless in Davie's hands, and he kne

o' what I call cannel," grumbled Davie, glowering fierc

Mr. Rae, "tell the

ie, as he reluctantly took himse

impatience. "Impudent old rascal!" he

"I doubt if Davie would consider that. But now let us to work." He set two arm-chairs before the fire, and placed

n?" burst for

tter, I believe, lies now with the Chairman of

aptain. "I know him.

out doubt, the best financier that stands at this moment in Scotland, and during the last fifteen years he has brought up the Bank of Scotland to its presen

call him. I know his father; a mere cottar. I mean," added the Captain hurriedly, for he remembered that Mr. Rae was of the same humb

said Mr.

was from the Erracht region. I shall see him personally. I am glad you thought of that, Mr. Rae. These smaller men, Sheratt and the rest, I do not know-in f

ng a meeting between the Captain and Sir Archibald Brodie. But labour as he might he could not turn the Captain from his purp

ld will undoubtedly accede to my suggestion-ah-request to wi

e was compelled to yield a

tate. "Ah, much better," said the Captain, "away from his office and away from the-ah-commerc

llowing morning found them on their way to Sir Archibald's country seat. Mr. Rae felt that it was an unusual

an of strong prejudices," he urged; "for instance, his Bank he regards with an affection and respect amounting to veneratio

in, who was inclined to resent Mr. Rae

ae, "and with him finance is a high art, a

t public moment. Commercial enterprises he regarded with a feeling akin to contempt. Money was an extremely desirable, and indeed necessary, appendage to a gentleman's position, but how any man of fine feeling

esy. He hated to be pursued to his country home with business matters. Besides, at this particular moment he was deeply engrossed in the inspection of his pigs, for which animals he cherished what might almost be called an absorbing affection. Mr. Rae, who was proceeding with diplomati

ion of a gentleman in the privacy of his own home, but there is a little m

ald bowed

rns my son, and therefore, Sir

r Archib

ily arranged between us. The truth is, Sir Archibald-," here the Capt

Archibald," suggested Mr. Rae, "as it has a legal aspect of some gravity,

bald shortly. "Forge

he bottom of it. I confess that the case has certainly very gra

ald. "I know all about it. It is a clear case of forgery. The fact

ay I inquire?" said the C

rned, instructions to prosecute." Sir Archibald's lips shut in a

d the Captain, "this

et it," replie

n, and the honour of m

chibal

st generous terms of settlement; in short, I am willing to do anythi

Cameron, it is impossible. I am grieved for you

angement or compromise or settlement of any kind whatever? I am willing to pay the

possible," said

al self-control; "let us look at this thing as two gentlemen shoul

tunate remark o

shall receive to the very fullest in this matter. The honour of the Bank, which I regard as a great National Institution charged with National responsibilities, is invo

ily name in this country?-a name, I venture to say, not unknown in the history of this nation. The Camerons, Sir, have fought and bled for King and country on many a bat

in life. "Pounds, Sir! It is no question of pounds, but a question of the honour of a National Institution, a question of the l

o evidence that fraud has been committed by young Mr. Cameron, absolutely none.-Pardon me a moment, Sir Archibald.-The fraud has been committed, I grant, by someone, but by whom is as yet unknown. The young man for some weeks has been in a st

Sir Archibald, "and I hope, I

ife is blighted, his name dishonoured, his family plunged into unspeakable grief. I venture to say that it is a case in which the y

entation of the case. "It is quite useless, Mr. Rae," he declared firmly. "The case is out of my hands, and must be p

Rae's arguments nor the Captain's p

d, Sir! What else could you expect from a fellow of his breeding? The insolence of these lower orders is beco

and it might have been better if you had remembered that the h

to curb his rage, or at least suppress all reference to questions of honou