"What has happened?" asked Jack.
Mr. Alington took a telegram from his pocket, and handed it to him.
"The unexpected—it always does: this, in fact."
Jack took it and read:
"Chavasse left for England by P. and O. yesterday."
"You don't understand, my dear Conybeare, do you?" he said. "It is a very short story, and quite a little romance in its way."
And, in a few words, he told Jack the story of the burglary, Chavasse's confession, and his idea of using him as an independent operator in Australia.
"I make no doubt what has occurred," he said. "The man has drawn out the somewhat considerable balance I left at Melbourne for him to invest when ordered, and has taken it off with him. He has also, I expect, got hold of his own confession—a clever rogue."
"But the telegram?" asked Jack. "Who sent the telegram about the strong support in Australia?"
Mr. Alington opened his mild eyes to their widest.