youth, and laying his hand upon his shoulder. The lad shuddered, and
shrank from his touch as if he had suddenly come in contact with a
viper. "How can you speak in that hardened manner to your father? Are
not you ashamed of what you have done? Will you add falsehood to
theft?"

'"Peace, old man! This is no business of yours. I appeal to my father,
not to you." Then, looking sternly in the old man's face, he added in a
bitter tone: "Perhaps you are the traitor who has poisoned his mind
against me. If so, speak out. I do not fear you. I defy your malice."

'"Bold words, Master George, and boldly spoken. But facts are hard
things to disprove." Then, going close up to the lad, he said in a
cool, deliberate tone, "I saw you take the money out of that box."

'"Old villain, you lie!"

'"George!" cried the Doctor in an angry tone, lifting his pale face
from between his supporting hands, "how dare you use such language to
my friend--my father's friend?"

'"No friend to you, sir, when he charges your son with a crime he never
committed. I spoke rashly; anger is always intemperate. You must make
some allowance for my just indignation." Again he turned and confronted
his grey-haired accuser: "You saw me take the money out of that box?
When did I take it?"

'"Last Friday afternoon. You came into the study while I was writing
out a receipt at my desk. You were in a great hurry; I don't think you
saw me."