Suddenly Cyril’s eyes narrowed slightly; if Oscar had not been so absorbed himself, he might have noticed the indefinable change that passed over Cyril’s face, but his voice was quite gay and easy. “I remember coming and writing a lot of very dry letters, but I hope you don’t expect me to quote you their contents after three months!”—and he laughed. “Do you remember your father bringing in some money and giving it to me to pay a bill of Jones and Wright?” Cyril turned to poke the fire, and seemed to be pausing to refresh his memory. “I think I have a vague recollection of something of the sort, though what firm it was I should be sorry to say. I remember his putting some money on your desk, and I think I advised you to lock it up.” Oscar gave a little start; those words brought back a fresh wave of recollection, but his heart beat heavily and seemed to fall within him. He had not a very high opinion of Cyril’s moral courage. If indeed he had been guilty—but Oscar would not pursue the thought farther lest he should lose his self-control. “Cyril, didn’t you take the money to pay the bill? Don’t you remember saying you had written enough, and would like a breath of fresh air? We thought it would get rid of the money lying about. Didn’t you take it and bring back the receipt?” “I?” questioned Cyril lightly, leaning forward and making another vigorous onslaught at the fire. “I don’t recollect ever paying a firm’s bill in my life! But suppose I did, what then?” “Well, there has been a mistake about this bill,” said Oscar. “Either it was not paid, and the person who had the money receipted it; or else it was paid to some unauthorised person in Jones and Wright’s who pocketed the money and receipted the bill without using the firm’s stamp. Anyway the money has never got into the right hands, and I am very uneasy about it, because I can’t be sure who it was that took the money from me. And it is such a dreadful thing to think of anybody’s being a thief. I wondered if you had given it afterwards to some other person. I can’t help having a vague impression that you had something to do with it, Cyril.” Oscar looked up appealingly. Stronger and more strong was the notion coming to him that Cyril was the responsible person. But how would it be possible to bring it home to him if he denied? Oscar did not think either of the younger clerks had been present when the talk between them passed. He seemed to remember Cyril’s saying it had better be paid, and his taking the money away before the lads came back from their dinner. Yes, he felt more and more certain every minute. But Cyril lay back in his chair and laughed. “My dear fellow, you are quite making a mare’s nest for yourself. I had nothing whatever to do with the matter. I recollect my father’s bringing you the money and telling you to pay, and I recommended you to lock it up out of sight. That is all I know of the matter, and I’m afraid I can’t help you out of your difficulty——”