"And you think you are on the right one?" "I could put my finger out this night and lay it on the fox. But I tell you, sir, I don't want to, unless I am compelled. Don't _you_ compel me, Mr. Dare, of all people in the world." Mr. Dare leaned back in his chair, his thumbs in his waistcoat armholes. No suspicion of the truth had crossed him, and he could not understand either the sergeant or his manner. The latter rose to depart. "The other cloak, similar to young Halliburton's, belongs to your son Herbert," he whispered, as he passed Mr. Dare. "It was his brother, Cyril, who wore it on Saturday night, and who changed the cheque: therefore we may give a guess as to who took the cheque out of Mr. Ashley's desk. Now you be still over it, sir, for his sake, as I shall be. If I can, I'll call at your office to-morrow, Mr. Dare, and talk further. White must have the money refunded to him, or _he_ won't be still." Anthony Dare fell into a confusion of horror and consternation, leaving the sergeant to bow himself out. Mrs. Dare heard the departure, and returned to the room. "Well," cried she briskly, "is he going to accuse Halliburton?" Mr. Dare did not answer. He looked up in a beseeching, helpless sort of manner, as one who is stunned by a blow. "What is the matter?" she questioned, gazing at him closely. "Are you ill?" He rose up shaking, as if ague were upon him. "No--no." "Perhaps you are cold," said Mrs. Dare. "I asked you what Delves was going to do. Will he accuse Halliburton?" "Be still!" sharply cried Mr. Dare in a tone of pain. "The matter is to be hushed up. It was not Halliburton." CHAPTER XXI. A PRESENT OF TEA-LEAVES. How went on Honey Fair? Better and worse, better and worse, according to custom; the worse prevailing over the better. Of all its inhabitants, none had advanced so well as Robert East. Honestly to confess it, that is not saying much; since the greater portion, instead of advancing in the world's social scale, had retrograded. Robert had left the manufactory he had worked for and was now second foreman at Mr. Ashley's. He was also becoming through perseverance an excellent scholar in a plain way. He had had one friend to help him; and that was William Halliburton.