'In a--case of this kind,' he began, 'I believe the loss falls on us; I

mean upon my uncle and myself.'

It does not, sir,' replied Mr Bell; 'the bank is responsible, and

the bank will either recover the money or refund it, you may depend on

that.'

Morris's face fell; then it was visited by another gleam of hope.

'I'll tell you what,' he said, 'you leave this entirely in my hands.

I'll sift the matter. I've an idea, at any rate; and detectives,' he

added appealingly, 'are so expensive.'

'The bank would not hear of it,' returned Mr Judkin. 'The bank stands to

lose between three and four thousand pounds; it will spend as much more

if necessary. An undiscovered forger is a permanent danger. We shall

clear it up to the bottom, Mr Finsbury; set your mind at rest on that.'

'Then I'll stand the loss,' said Morris boldly. 'I order you to abandon

the search.' He was determined that no enquiry should be made.

'I beg your pardon,' returned Mr Judkin, 'but we have nothing to do with

you in this matter, which is one between your uncle and ourselves. If

he should take this opinion, and will either come here himself or let me

see him in his sick-room--'

The Wrong Box