Cass was not within earshot.
"I put the money back, but its loss had been discovered yesterday. I
have been accused of taking it, but have denied it, accusing no one. I
want you to say that you borrowed it, thinking it no great harm, as it
was your father's money."
Alan would have interrupted him, but Mortimer said, "Wait till I
finish;" and then continued: "There will be nothing done to you, I feel
sure, if you will take this stand, because of your father's connection
with Crane. It will save me from dishonor--"
"Mr. Porter."
It was the cashier's voice of Damascus steel cutting in on Mortimer's
low, pleading tones.
Alan turned his head, and Mr. Lane, beckoning, said, "Will you step into
my office for a minute?"
The cashier's one minute drew its weary length into thirty; and when
Alan Porter came out again, Mortimer saw the boy sought to avoid him.
Had he denied taking the money? My God! the full horror of Mortimer's
hopeless position flashed upon him like the lurid light of a destroying
forest fire. He could read in every line of the boy's face an
accusation of himself. He had trembled when it was a question of Alan's
dishonor; now that the ignominy was being thrust upon him, the bravery
that he possessed in great part made him a hero.
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