Dick's fist clenched as the young man approached him; and Tom saw that Jessie shrank from him as if with loathing, though she watched his movements with a strange, keen interest. He laughed lightly as he passed, and then started back, for the policeman placed his hands across from the balustrade to the wall. "One moment, please, Sir. This is your photograph, I think?" He held up a card, but Fred struck it down and tried to leap past; but the policeman caught him in his arms and forced him back. "Oh no, you don't, sir," said the constable, laughing. "E. Gilderoy, send your men down to keep the door. The fact is, Frederick Fraser, _alias_ Captain Leroux, _alias_ the Hon. Algernon Bracy, there's a warrant out against you, and two-fifty reward. We only knew this afternoon that you were F. Fraser, and you were to have been took this evening; but the job has fallen to us." "Man, you are mad, or drunk." "I dare say I am," said the constable, laughing; "but Mr Gilderoy and me means to have that two-fifty." "Father--uncle--Tom! this is a lie--an imposition!" cried Fred, wildly glancing round for a means of escape, but seeing none. "No, sir," said the constable; "it was them forged bills was lies and impositions." "Constable, this is all nonsense--some trumped-up case!" cried Max. "An invention, perhaps, of the poor boy's uncle," he added malignantly. "Oh no, it is not, sir; the game's been going on for close upon two years, only my gentleman here has been too clever to be caught. There's over two thou, been discounted. It's all tight." "Fred," cried Max, "why don't you knock this lying scoundrel down?" "Don't want to bruise my knuckles," said Fred carelessly. "There, the game's up, and I'm sick of it." "What?" cried Max. "It's all right," said Fred callously. "I had the cake, so I must pay for it." "Reprobate!" cried Max furiously: "do you dare to own to my face that this is true?" "True enough," said Fred, taking out his cigar-case. "I can smoke, I suppose, constable?" "Oh yes, sir, and make much of it," said the man, grinning. "I don't suppose you'll get another--not just yet." "Good heavens, that it should come to this!" cried Max, raising his hands toward the ceiling. "Lost, depraved, reckless boy! you bring down your father's grey hairs with sorrow to the grave." "What!" shrieked Fred, with a sneering laugh. "After the Christian home in which you have been brought up!" "Look here!" cried Fred. "Slang me, if you like, for being an unlucky scoundrel; but, curse it, give me none of your sickly cant." "Away with him, constable. Out of my sight, wretch! I disown and curse you!" cried Max. "Take your curse back," shrieked Fred savagely. "Example!--Christian home! What of the office? What has been done there? Where is Violante's money?" Max stepped back with his jaw fallen. "Where is the hundred pounds the old man in Australia sent for Uncle Dick? Example, indeed!"