"Who took it?" inquired Mr. Dare. "Who's to know? That's what we want to find out." "What was the amount?" "Fourteen pounds, I say. A paltry sum. Ashley makes a boast, and says it's not the amount that bothers him, but the feeling that we must have some one false near us." "Don't speak so slightingly of money," rebuked Mr. Dare. "Fourteen pounds are not so easily picked up that it should be pleasant to lose them." "I'm sure I don't want to speak slightingly of money," returned Cyril, rebelliously. "You keep me too short, sir, for me not to know the full value of it. But fourteen pounds cannot be much of a loss to Mr. Ashley." "If I keep you short, you have forced me to it by your extravagances--you and the rest of you," responded Mr. Dare, in short, emphatic tones. An unpleasant pause ensued. When the father of a family intimates that his income is diminishing, it is not a welcome announcement. The young Dares had been obliged to hear it often lately. Adelaide broke the silence. "How was the cheque taken?" "It was a cheque brought by Dunns' people on Saturday night, in exchange for money, and the master placed it in his open desk in the counting-house," explained Cyril. "He went into Lynn's room to watch the packing, and was away an hour. When he returned, the cheque was gone." "Who was in the counting-house?" "Not a soul except Halliburton. He was there all the time." "And no one else went in?" cried Mr. Dare. "No one," replied Cyril, sending up his plate for more meat. "Why, then, it would look as if Halliburton took it?" exclaimed Mr. Dare. Cyril raised his eyebrows. "No one would venture to suggest as much in the hearing of the manufactory. It appears to be impressed with the opinion that Halliburton, like kings, can do no wrong." "Mr. Ashley is so?" "Mr. Ashley, and downwards." "But, Cyril, if the facts are as you state, Halliburton must have been the one to take it," objected Mr. Dare. "Possibly the cheque may have been only mislaid?" "The counting-house underwent a thorough search this morning, and every corner of the master's desk was turned out, but nothing came of it. Halliburton appears to be in a world of surprise as to where it can have gone; but he does not seem to glance at the fact that suspicion may attach to him." "Of course Mr. Ashley intends to investigate it officially?" said Mr. Dare. "He does not say," replied Cyril. "He had the two packers before him this morning separately, inquiring if they saw any one pass through the room to the counting-house on Saturday night. He also questioned me. We had none of us seen anything of the sort." "Where were you at the time, Cyril?" eagerly questioned Mr. Dare.