Chapter X.

This night he watched as before , ancl when he went back to the office his villanous plan had been successful , the money was gone ! Could it be possible that the temptation had really been too strong for him ? Bulliker gloated ; the virtuous Humberton hacl been caught at last . How would it end . At eleven that unlucky night Arthur gave information at Scotland Yard that he had been mysteriously robbed of a hundred pounds in notes btwo masked men .

y He then rushed to Mr . Pbanc ' s house to inform him of the disaster , but all was locked in quiet , so ho hastily strode away in the direction of Mi-. Bulliker ' s house . That gentleman ( sic ) hacl not yet retired , for there was a light in his bedroom . A queer tumbledown-looking sort of house , with an evil leer about it , a consciousness of sneaking guilt , as if it would like to get its ugly form scpieezed out of sight .

In answer to Arthur ' s summons , Mrs . Bulliker threw open the window with "Who ' s there ? " Mr . Bulliker was out late somewhere , but she would tell him directly he got home : A poor careworn , emaciated-looking woman , with hair unkempt , ancl shabby clothing . When he arrived at home he related all to his landlady , ancl she sympathised with him . In the morning he wont early to Mr . Bulliker ' s , who gruffly

ancl unceremoniously said ho hacl better see Mr . Phane . Arrived there , he was told b y tho servant that he could not have admittance . Mr . Phane would not see him . At the office it was the same . Mr . Bulliker hacl given instructions that he was not to be admitted ; that he hacl better keep quiet , or it might be worse for him . Protestations were useless . Mr . Phane rudely pushed him aside when he arrived , and . would not hear him speak . Humberton had been waiting for his arrival . Mr . Phane would not be moved , but entered the office with averted head and stern face , not trusting himself to speak .

Arthur sent him an explanatory note , but he received no reply ; it was placed on the fire unopened . He sent one to Olivia , protesting innocence ; it was intercepted . Ho had lost his situation , his friends , his reputation , and most agonising of all , his betrothed . He was almost beside himself with grief . Branded as a thief too ! What would she think ? Would she believe him ? The newspaper reports gave the account of tho gan-ottal as related by himself ,

but what construction would she place upon it ? Horrible , horrible ! Bulliker ' s plan , thon , had been successful ; Arthur hacl been proved dishonest . The cashier was full of glee over his success . Mr . Phane was weighed down with sorrow and severe disappointment , disappointment in a young friend in whom he had placed every trust , who had now deceived him in his conducta veritable viper ; yet was he sorry for him ancl for his own

, daughter . For there was something noble aud fascinating in Humberton notwithstanding— " But , ah ! that it should be so—false , false , " and he bent his head in grief . Ancl Humberton , had he really succumbed to the temptation ? Was he indeed guilt y ? ( To be continued . )