This, then, is the way in which Destiny rewards those who refuse to listen to the Divine Voice. Destiny supplies them with reasons for discrediting it. Mrs. Furze was more than ever thankful to Jim; not so much because of these additional revelations, but because she was still further released from the obligation to turn her eyes. Had not Jim said it once, twice, and now thrice? Who could condemn her? She boldly faced herself, and asked herself what authority this other self possessed which, just for a moment, whispered something in her ear. What right had it thus to interrogate her? What right had it to hint at some horrid villainy? "None, none," it timidly answered, and was silent. The business of this other self is suggestion only, and, if it be resisted, it is either dumb or will reply just as it is bidden. "You can tell Mr. Catchpole his master wishes to see him here." "Thankee, marm; good mornin'." Tom came up to the Terrace much wondering, and was shown into the dining- room by Phoebe not a little suspicious. Mr. Furze sat back in the easy- chair with his elbows on the arms and his hands held up and partly interlaced. It was an attitude he generally assumed when he was grave or wished to appear so. He had placed himself with his back to the light. Mrs. Furze sat in the window. Mr. Furze began with much hesitation. "Sit down, Mr. Catchpole. I am sorry to be obliged to impart to you a piece--a something--which is very distressing. For some time, I must say, I have not been quite satisfied with the--the affairs--business at the shop, and the case of Humphries' account made me more anxious. I could not tell who the--delinquent--might be, and, under advice, under advice, I resorted to the usual means of detection, and the result is that a marked coin placed in the till on Saturday was changed by you on Saturday night." A tremendous blow steadies some men, at least for a time. Tom quietly replied-- "Well, Mr. Furze, what then?" "What then?" said Mrs. Furze, with a little titter; "the evidence seems complete." "A marked coin," continued Mr. Furze. "I may say at once that I do not propose to prosecute, although if I were to take proceedings and to produce the evidence of Jim and his brother with regard to Humphries, I should obtain a conviction. But I cannot bring myself to--to--the--forget your past services, and I wish to show no unchristian malice, even for such a crime as yours. You are discharged, and there are a week's wages." "I am not sure," said Mrs. Furze, "that we are not doing wrong in the eye of the law, and that we might not ourselves be prosecuted for conniving at a felony." Tom was silent for a moment, but it never entered into his head to ask for corroboration or any details. "I will ask you both"--he spoke with deliberation and emphasis--"do you, both of you, believe I am a thief?"