"Why, father!" exclaimed Nellie, with real anguish; for even a suspicion against Donald was a shock to her. "I can never believe it!" "I don't wish you to believe anything yet; but you may as well be prepared for anything an investigation may disclose." "That Don John should steal!" ejaculated Nellie. "Why, we all considered him the very soul of honor!" "You are getting along faster than I do with your conclusions, child," added Captain Patterdale. "A suspicion is not proof. The bill came from him, beyond a doubt. But something can be said in his favor, besides the statement that his character is excellent. Of the three persons who were in the library that day, two of them had wagons on the street. It does not seem probable that Don John walked through the city with that tin box in his hand. If he did, some one must have seen it. Of course he would not have carried it openly, while it could easily have been concealed in the wagon of Hasbrook or Laud Cavendish." "Certainly; if Don John had taken it, he would not have dared to carry it through the streets," added Nellie, comforted by the suggestion. "Again, if he had stolen this white cross of Denmark, he would not have been likely to pass it off here in Belfast," continued the captain; "for he is sharp enough to see that it would be identified as soon as it appeared. Very likely Mr. Leach told him he intended to pay me some money, and he surely would not have allowed the bill to come back to me." "I know he didn't do it," cried Nellie, with enthusiasm. "You are too fast again, child. It is possible that he did, however improbable it may seem now, for rogues often make very silly blunders. Is Edward in the house?" "I think so; he was reading the _Age_ when I came in." "Tell him to go down and ask Don John to come up and see me. We will have the matter cleared up before we sleep. But, Nellie, don't tell Edward what I want to see Don John for. Not a word about that to any one. By keeping my own counsel, I may get at the whole truth; whereas the thief, if he gets wind of what I am doing, may cover his tracks or run away." "I will be very discreet, father," replied Nellie, as she left the library. In a few moments she returned. "He has gone, father; though he is very tired," said she. "I suppose he is; but I don't want to believe that Don John is a thief even over one night," replied the captain. "He asked me what you wanted of Don John; but I didn't tell him." The father and daughter discussed the painful suspicion until Donald arrived, and entered the library with Edward. A conversation on indifferent topics was continued for some time, and the boat-builder wondered if he had been sent for to talk about the launch of the Maud, which was now an old story. "How is the wind, Edward?" asked Captain Patterdale.