had come from the outside, broken in, and robbed me, but this, after all
these years, is too low."

"Don't be hard on a man, Maurice; one never knows what prompts him to a
deed. And this evidence is all circumstantial."

"It is plain enough for me. You are entirely too kind-hearted, Frank.
But I see that this thing has worn you out. You must not stand here
talking. Go to bed, for you must be fresh for to-morrow morning's
journey to New York."

Frank Oakley turned away towards his room. His face was haggard, and he
staggered as he walked. His brother looked after him with a pitying and
affectionate gaze.

"Poor fellow," he said, "he is so delicately constructed that he cannot
stand such shocks as these;" and then he added: "To think of that black
hound's treachery! I 'll give him all that the law sets down for him."

He found Mrs. Oakley asleep when he reached the room, but he awakened
her to tell her the story. She was horror-struck. It was hard to have to
believe this awful thing of an old servant, but she agreed with him that
Hamilton must be made an example of when the time came. Before that,
however, he must not know that he was suspected.

They fell asleep, he with thoughts of anger and revenge, and she grieved
and disappointed.