Mr. Howard stared at him. "Do you understand, young man, what it is that you would bring upon your head? In point of fact, we are laying ourselves open to, I hardly know what penalty of law, in making you this offer; but Mr. Grubb is anxious it should be hushed up for your father's sake--whom every one respects. If you decline it; if you set me at defiance, as it seems to me you wish to do; I shall have no resource but to give you into custody." "I beg to state that the matter is not in our hands yet," spoke up the banker to Charles. "If it were, we could not make you any such offer. Though of course we can fully understand and appreciate the motives that actuate your principals, with whom the affair at present wholly rests. It would be a terrible blow to fall on the Cleveland family; and every one must wish to save them from it." "I--I am very sorry," gasped Charles, feeling all this to his heart's core. "Unfortunately----" "The matter is not known beyond ourselves," interposed Mr. Howard again, indicating himself and the banker; "and it need not be. But it is solely out of consideration for your family, you understand, that we offer to hush it up. Will you explain?" "I cannot. Unfortunately, I cannot, sir. It is not in my power?" "Then I give you in charge at once." "I can't help it," said poor Charles, passing his hand over his hot brow. Mr. Howard, very hard, very uncompromising when deliberately provoked, was as good as his word. And Charles Cleveland was given into custody for forgery. CHAPTER XXII. "THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH US IN AFTER-LIFE." It was all over and done with long before Mr. Grubb got up from Blackheath in the afternoon. He felt terribly vexed. Vexed for Charles himself, terribly vexed for Charles's family, vexed on his own score. To his refined and sensitive mind, it almost seemed that he had violated the sacred laws of hospitality, for Charles had been staying, as a guest, in his house. The first thing he did was to hasten to the prison to which Charles had been conveyed, preparatory to his examination on the morrow. The young man was in his cell, sitting on the edge of his narrow bed, and looking very downhearted. The entrance of Mr. Grubb seemed to bring to him a sudden flash of hope. He started up. "Oh, sir," he exclaimed, in high excitement, "will you not look over this one error? My father will replace the money--I am sure he will, rather than suffer this public disgrace to fall upon the family. Do not force the shame upon him. And--and there's my brother--just embarked--what will he do? Oh, Mr. Grubb, if you will but have mercy!