The Adventures of Don Lavington | Page 9

sir! And listen. Constable, a sum of money has
been abstracted from my desk, and this man, who I believe was
penniless two days ago, is now staying away from his work treating his
friends."
"Steady, master; on'y having a glass."
"He was paying for ale with a guinea when I fetched him out, sir," said
the constable. "Now, Mike, you're wanted for another ugly job, so you
may as well clear yourself of this if you can."
"What yer mean with your ugly job?" said the man, laughing.
"You'll know soon enough; you and four more are in trouble. Now then,
what money have you got on you?"
"None 'tall."
"Out with it."

"Well, only two o' these. I did have three," grumbled the man,
reluctantly taking out a couple of guineas from his pocket.
"Looks bad, sir," said the constable. "Now then, where did you get
them?"
"What's that to you?"
"Enough for Mr Christmas to charge you with robbing his desk, my lad;
and this and what I've got against you will send you to Botany Bay."
"What, me? Rob a good master? Not a penny."
"What have you done with the rest?" continued the constable.
"Never had no more, and wouldn't have had that if I'd knowed."
"This will do, sir," said the constable. "You charge him here with
stealing money from your desk?"
"I am afraid I must," said Uncle Josiah.
"What, me? Charge me?" cried the man, angrily.
"Yes, Bannock, reluctantly; but it seems that you are the thief."
"No: not me!" cried the man, fiercely. "It warn't me. It was him."
Don started and turned pale, as the man stood pointing at him.
"What do you mean?" cried Uncle Josiah.
"Mean? Why, I ketched him a-helping hisself to the money, and he give
me three guineas to hold my tongue."
"What?"
"And when I wouldn't take 'em he said if I didn't he'd say it was me;
and that's the whole truth, and nothing else."

"Lindon, what have you to say to this?" cried Uncle Josiah.
Don thought of the guinea he had picked up, of his uncle's curious look
when he gave it to him, and as he turned red and white with terror and
dismay, mingled with confusion, he tried to speak, but try how he
would, no words would come.
CHAPTER FOUR.
MIKE BANNOCK HAS A RIDE.
"You wretch!"
Those two words were a long time coming, but when they did escape
from Lindon's lips, they made up in emphasis and force for their
brevity.
"Steady, Master Don, steady," said Jem, throwing his arms round the
boy's waist, and holding him back. "You arn't strong enough to fight
him."
"Wretch? Oh! Well, I like that. Why, some men would ha' gone straight
to your uncle here, and told him all about it; but I didn't, and I'd made
up my mind to send him the money back, only I met two or three mates,
and I had to change one of 'em to give the poor lads a drink o' ale."
"You own, then, that you had my money, sir?" cried the old merchant.
"Well--some on it, master. He give it me. S'pose I oughtn't to have took
it, but I didn't like to come and tell you, and get the poor lad into
trouble. He's so young, you see."
"Uncle, it is not true!" cried Lindon, excitedly.
"But you had one of the guineas in your pocket, sir."
"Yes, uncle, but--"
"Course he had," interrupted Mike sharply. "I told you it wouldn't do,

Master Don. I begged you not to."
"You villain!" cried Don, grinding his teeth, while his uncle watched
him with a sidelong look.
"Calling names won't mend it, my lad. I knowed it was wrong. I telled
him not to, sir, but he would."
This was to the constable in a confidential tone, and that functionary
responded with a solemn wink.
"It is not true, uncle!" cried Don again.
"Oh, come now," said Mike, shaking his head with half tipsy reproach,
"I wouldn't make worse on it, my lad, by telling a lot o' lies. You did
wrong, as I says to you at the time; but you was so orbst'nate you would.
Says as you'd got such lots of money, master, as you'd never miss it."
Uncle Josiah gave vent to a sound resembling a disgusted grunt, and
turned from the speaker, who continued reproachfully to Don,--
"What you've got to do, my lad, is to go down on your bended knees to
your uncle, as is a good master as ever lived--and I will say that, come
what may--and ask him to let you off this time, and you won't do so any
more."
"Uncle, you won't believe what he says?" cried Don wildly.
Uncle Josiah did