"
"Mark Galloway says his uncle had a telegraphic despatch, to say the
post-office knew nothing about it," exclaimed Charles.
"Much you know about it, Miss Charley!" quoth Tom. "The despatch was
about the seal: it was not from the post-office at all. They have not
accused the post-office yet."
Arthur let them talk on; headache the excuse for his own silence. It
did ache, in no measured degree. When appealed to, "Was it this way,
Arthur?" "Was it the other?" he was obliged to speak, so that an
accurate version of the affair was arrived at before tea was over.
Constance alone saw that something unusual was the matter with him. She
attributed it to fears at the absence of Hamish, who had been expected
home to tea, and did not come in. Constance's own fears at this absence
grew to a terrific height. Had he been _arrested_?
She beckoned Arthur from the room, for she could no longer control
herself. Her lips were white, as she drew him into the study, and
spoke. "Arthur, what has become of Hamish? Has anything happened to
him?"
"Happened to him!" repeated Arthur, vaguely, too absorbed in his own
sad thoughts to reply at once.
"Has--he--been--_taken_?"
"Taken! Hamish? Oh, you mean for debt!" he continued, his heart
beating, and fully aroused now. "There is no further fear, I believe.
He has managed to arrange with the people."
"How has he contrived it?" exclaimed Constance, in wonder.
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