"I shall have to be going along," said Clarence, coldly. He told his father at dinner about his meeting with Ben. "I'll tell you what, father," he said. "I couldn't account at first for Ben's seeming so cool and independent. I think I understand it now." "Well, suppose you explain, then." "I think he's robbed Major Grafton of a sum of money and taken French leave. He said he was not 'bounced' and that the major did not want him to leave." "I hope you are wrong, my son. I haven't the highest opinion of your cousin, but I earnestly hope he is honest. To have him guilty of such a crime would be a disgrace to our family. Always be honest, Clarence! Depend upon it, honesty is the best policy, and a boy or man makes a great mistake who appropriates what is not his own." "Of course, pa, I know all that. Do you think I would steal? As to Ben Baker, that's a different matter. He's always been poor, and I suppose the temptation was too strong for him." "Let us hope not. Dishonesty I could not overlook, even in a relation." Who would imagine that this man, so strict in his ideas of honesty, had deliberately stolen a hundred thousand dollars from his widowed sister and her son! CHAPTER XXXVIII. M. BOURDON HAS A BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR. Major Grafton was quite easy in mind after consigning Ben to the safe custody of an insane asylum. "Serves the boy right!" he said. "What business had he to interfere with my plans? M. Bourdon will see that he does not annoy me any further." His confidence in the wisdom of his plan was maintained by the frequent letters he received from the director of the asylum, in all of which he spoke encouragingly of the effect of discipline upon Ben. Major Grafton regularly transmitted the compensation agreed on between them. This continued until one day Major Grafton, who had now returned to Geneva, was dumbfounded by receiving the following telegram from Mr. Codicil: "Your scheme is revealed, and your guardianship at an end. No further drafts of yours will be honored. N. CODICIL." "Confusion! What does this mean?" ejaculated Major Grafton. "That wretched boy must have found means of writing to America. If this is so, I will haul M. Bourdon over the coals. It must have been through his criminal negligence." He lost no time in setting out for the asylum, which he reached in due season. "I wish to see M. Bourdon," he said, sternly, to the attendant who had admitted him. The doctor, who would rather have seen any one else, could hardly conceal his dismay when he set eyes on the major. "Can he have found out?" he asked. "Dr. Bourdon, how is my ward?" he demanded. "Tranquil and contented," answered the doctor, smoothly. "I have reason to think you have been negligent, and allowed him to write letters to America." "Impossible, my dear sir--quite impossible, I assure you." "I believe there is some trickery here," said the major, sternly. "I wish to see the boy."