Corporal Cameron

umiliated, and humiliation was an experience to which Mr. Rae was not accustomed. It was in a distinctly wrathful frame of mind that he called upon Mr. Dunn, and th

have taken time. We should have discovered his weak spots; every man has them. Now it is too late. The only t

"and I believe he is innocent.

to nearly sixty pounds. He frankly acknowledges the pleasantry in suggesting the raising of the five-pound cheque to fifty pounds, but of the act itself he professes entire ignorance. I frankly own to you, Sir," continued Mr. Rae, folding his ear into a horn after his manner when in perplexity, "that this case puzzles

only bring him!" There flashed into Mr. Dunn's mind the fact that he was due that evening at a party for students, given by one of the professors, belated beyond the period proper to such functions by one of those domestic felicities which claim right of w

estion. "They'll all be there, old man, and I shall make my ex

nonsense out. We're going into a fight for all there's in us.

eron gloomily. "D

deci

efence does

Innocence,

ould back him up!

And can you not? You do not me

I can be.' That will bother old Rae some; it would bother Old Nick himself. 'Did you forge this note?' 'My lord, my present ego recognizes no intent to forge; my alter ego in vino may have done so. Of that, however, I

ked Dunn suddenly, "what

s I did borrow money of him; but I'd borrow money of the devil when I'm in certain moods. A man may be a bounder, however, without being a criminal. No, I have thought this thing out as far as I can, and I've made my mind up that I've got to face it mys

n, Cameron?" ask

it go for to-night, anyway." He seized a decanter whic

and I,-this is my game, too,-and we must be fit; so, Cameron, I want your word that you will play up for all that's in you; that you will cut this thing out," pointin

ut his quivering lips could not utter the word; and there was no need, for they both knew that his heart was far away in the little mound that lay in the shadow of the church tower i

fine, lithe figure, set off by his Highland costume, drew all eyes in admiration, and whether in the proud march of the p

graceful and intricate Highland dance, all unconscious of a pair of bright blue ey

said a gay voice at his side

. He could only gaze stupidly and with blinking eyes upon his que

e, hastily withdrawing her eyes from his face, for sh

ow. I mean-yes, awfully-oh, confoun

big blue eyes slowly upon him.

!" Dunn could not recover his composure. He backed

pray? Can I know? I suppose it's Cameron again," she conti

at he needs, by Jove. His mother has been dead th

s broke in upon Dunn's speech. "O

?" cried Miss Brodie. "You know I'

d besides he was at the limit of his self-control. "I say," he said, staring at her, while his lips quivered, "I

vantage over other mortals: that he may burst into tears or anything else without losing caste, whereas if I should do any such thing-Bu

gh will know time day aft

any harm for me to know to-n

yway," said Dunn, "for

grew grave and anxious. "But surely it can be a

nk is bound to pursue it to the bitter en

t Ba

nk of S

man of the Board of Directors, and the Bank is the ap

aid Dunn, rather pleas

s Brodie. "The Bank, you know, or you

ss Dunn's mind: "We ought to

s heart with the Bank, that I have the left lobe. Isn't that the bigger one? So the B

tshi

elf distinctly second to them. Are you

meron-that's young Cameron's

rodie. "He hates people following him

s rather a mistake that C

is his fathe

r queer for a father." Whereupon Dunn gave her

e interests of all who care for him, for some little pet selfishness of his own. But this father of his seems to be even worse than the son. Family name indeed! And I venture to say he expatiated upon the glory of his family name to my uncle. If the

e," murmur

Brodie hastily. "I wish to he

now," said Dunn, with a k

en my uncle makes up his mind he appears to hav

ly mistake," sa

ing upon him suddenly, "I want your straight

open admirers, his boyish face all aglow with animation. For the time being

sible to him; but you see you never know what a man in drink will do. Cameron can carry a bottle of Scotch without a

spoilt it all. But here's 'Lily' Laughton," she continued hurriedly, "coming for his dance."

ng himself with his handkerchief. "And though you have quite forgotten it, this is our dance. What can you two h

ay? Browning?" inquir

face and languid, liquid eyes indicated his horror. It was "Lily's" constant declaration that he "positively loathed" football, although his persistent attendance at all the great matc

you," murmur

excellence in which appear to be brute strength and a blood-thirsty disposition; as witness Dunn there. I was positively horrified last International. There he was, o

rmured Miss Brodie ecstati

aven. "But it was ever thus! In ancient days upon the bloody sands of the arena, fair

er of them to gaze with

young Colonial, Martin, another of your bloody, brawny band, would say. And here you sit, unbl

ou," cried Dunn, his face a bri

not the first. By no means! It is always the last International ca

accents. "You monster! If you have no regard for

ed "Lily," "who could ever associ

, save me from further insult! Dear 'Lily,' run away now. You are much too tired to dance, and besides there is Mrs. Craig-U

oice, "how can you? Mendelssohn-Browning! How

erciful providence has accomplished my deliverance. They are goin

what can you expect from such associations?" And he hastened away to h

so strong when he is once set, and he is so funny about that Bank. But a boy is worth more than a Bank, if he IS a fool; besides, there

ous ages and sizes and sexes were kept. With the utmost enthusiasm Miss Brodie entered into his admiration of them all, from the lordly prize tusker to the great mother lying broadside

dy independent fearlessness, her sound sense, her honest heart, and chiefly, if it must be told, her whole-souled devotion to himself, made for her a great space in his heart. And besides all this, they were both interested to the point of devo

she exclaimed, lifting her

d, lapsing into the kindly "braid

his niece, "and awfully useful and

, I'm extremely flat

lovely home-how lovely it is on a warm, shiny day like this!-safe

low who annoyed me, seriously annoyed me, interfering in affairs which he knew nothing of,-actually the affairs of the Bank!-prating about his family name, and all

a fool, a conceited fo

uired her uncle in

, I'm glad to say, but I know about him, and

ughly respectab

bear him! He came to talk to you about his son, and I ventur

y so! B

on." For just a moment Miss Brodie's courage faltered as she observed h

y dear, don'

ering,' only you remember in time that your n

ppose so; that

, which neither your lawyer nor your manager nor that fool father of his can give you. I kno

able and business-like tone. Sir Archibald was

as he ever adopted with his niece, "you know how I

man of honour, and that you stand for fair play. But that young man is to be arreste

himself to give her serious attention. "Let us have it, t

he has a selfish, conce

rchibald most heartily agr

office, with vigorous and illuminating comments. "And just think, the man in the company who was first to condemn the

, stead

emphasis. "Would you chuck me over if I were dis

a sudden tempest of emotion, and M

he young fellow himself: He's just a first-class fool,

his hand. "Don't make

ere a boy you were just as gay

ruggle. The mild indulgences of his early years, under the transforming influence of that same arch and accusing smile, took on for Sir A

know about it? Well, well, we

were young Cameron's age. Though I'm quite sure you were never

indicate that the less said abou

king, and gets so muddled up in all his money matters-

un

al captain, you know! Mr. Dunn says h

t, D

ng Cameron can take a whole bottle of Scotch and

't be su

m, suddenly remembering a tradition that in his youth Sir Archibald had been a famous quarter, his one indulgence, "a glorious half-back, too!

left-half in the English

ruptly checked herself. "But never mind! Well, after the season, you know, he got going loose, and this is the result. Owe

Sir Archibald

r to a cheque-or doesn't do it, nobody knows-and there he is in thi

why,

n him for years, says it is quite impossible; a

oes NOT

ing on a-a fellow Potts, quite a doubtful character, he simply says, 'I know nothing about it. That looks like my signature. I can't remember d

s you build somewhat b

deepened slightly. "Well, Mr. D

lso, I imagine," said Sir A

n't be ridiculous, Uncle! He's just a boy, a perfectly splendid boy, and glorious in

cle. "Thirty last birthday

e already intolerable burden of my years? Thirty! No, Sir, not by five good year

r even your advanced age with quite sufficient ease and grace. But now a

is a chance," said

et every chance the law

rrested, this young boy who has never in all his life shown any sign of criminal tendency. These horrid lawyers display their dreadful astuteness and abil

rather win

nce, no initiative. Why, they even went so far as to suggest that you could do nothing, that

most dignified manner. "I trus

big chance that the boy never did the thing, and certainly if he did it at all it was when he was quite incapable. Oh, I know quite well what the lawyers say. They go by the law,-they've got

s g

by hi

And his

u could only see him. Oh, I shall bring him to

up a deprecating ha

moment Miss Brodie was at a loss; then her eyes fell upon the grunting, comfortable old mo

her uncle solemnly;

're very ne

dear girl, seriously, as to this case, you must understand that

up her reserves. "I know, Uncle, I know! I wouldn't for the world say a word

e," resumed her uncle, ju

game!-the large chance of his innocence, the small chance of his guilt; the hide-bound rigidity of lawyers and bank managers, dominated by mere rules and routine, in contrast with the open-minded independence of her uncle; the boy's utter helplessness; his own father having been ready to believe the worst,-just think of it, Uncle, his own father thinking of himself

to his present position of distinction, to his niece he was soft-hearted as a mother. "There, there!" he exclaimed hastily. "We'll give the boy a chance. No mother, eh? And a confounded prig for a father! No wonder the boy goes all wrong!" Then with a sudden vehemence he cried, striking one

ion in her voice and face. "Diplomat!" she cried aga

my dear! But that you have put

, but it is just that you are a dear and-well, a real sport; you love fair play." The girl suddenly threw her stro

rror of a demonstration he cried, "Tut, tut, lassie, ye're

on among all my acquaintance. It is their gentle way of reminding me that th

ted her uncle. "You're wort

d none more enthusiastically than did Mr. Dunn, whom Miss Brodi

"how very fortunate!" Her f

d!" said Mr. Dunn,

ontinued, as her eye fell upon the youngster standing with cap off waiting her recogniti

It's to Sheratt," he sa

it's to Sheratt, from Sir Archibald, and it mea

ung Rob and her and glancing at his brother, who stoo

on with enthusiasm. "They look so splendid. I saw some of them as I c

nking deeply while Miss Brodie chatted eagerly with Rob, whose face retained it

letter oug

." Mr. Dunn had assumed command.

ected to being ordered about, but somehow it seemed good to accept commands fro

me and tell them not t

t I wait a bit, Jack, to see-to see if anything-?" Rob was striving hard to keep his voice in command and his face s

ing about?" said h

I say, youngster, you are much too acute," she continued, as they went striding along together t

o her honest blue eyes

. He was in some difficulty, but now he

ce more he nodded; he knew he could not keep his voice quite steady. But after a few paces h

me," cried Miss Brodie. "The

py smile. "I'll go,"

odie. "I shall feel so much saf

die and his brother in the anteroom, entered Mr. Rae's private office and laid the letter for Mr. Sheratt before him, remarking, "This letter is

is is unheard of. How

odie-" b

s Br

the waiting

Davie, Davie! Where is that man now? H

with deliber

ask if he would step over at once. It i

the fitness of things. "Wad a not

!" almost sho

cap and made for the door. "He'll no' come for the like o' me," he said,

gone?" cried Mr. Rae,

e more into the room, "if he'll no' come it's no' faut o' mine." His voice rose higher and higher, and ended

e ye! Ye'll be

as Miss Brodie was about to enter. "I say," she cri

ing aghast at Mr. Dunn, who gazed back at her in e

his is Miss Brodie, I suppose. Come in, c

but is this quite the usual method? I mean to say, I've heard of having advice hurled a

ant courtesy, "the method, my dear youn

he sub

the object

I s

xplain this most wonderful phe

of young Mr. Cameron before my uncle, and of course he at on

y till it stuck out like a horn upon the side of his shiny, bald head. "Permit me to say, Miss Brodie," he said, with a deliberate a

ae's smile had vanished. "What! I beg your pardon!" Miss Brodie's smiling response was abruptly arres

. First, Mr. Sheratt must receive and act upon this letter without delay." As he spoke he was

cried Mr. Dunn. "I

le or not. But wait, it is past the hour appointed. Already the officer

. "No," she added, "Rob will go. He is in the waiting

hing. He is awfully fond of Cameron. It

should know anything. We simply wish Cam

, and that I want him. Hold on, youngster!" he cried, grabbing Rob by the collar, "do you understand? It is very important that Cameron should get here as

ng at the grasp on his colla

chap. Now fly!" He held him just a moment longer to slap him on the back, then released his hold. Dunn stood w

Sheratt's house. When he had gone but a little distance he was bro

rom the impact. "Wad ye walk ower me, dang ye?" cried the little man again

avie? I'm sorry

a'm veesible." And Davie walke

Dunn cheerfully, hurrying

shoulder; "but gar it had been masel

he lawyers in Mr. Rae's office, and wondering what would come of it. On this subject he

that Mr. Dunn was not referring to the middle-aged and highly respectable maid who had opened the door to him. It is equally safe to affirm that this was the unanimous verdict of the thre