"Why leave him asleep at that time of morning?"
"I wanted him to have every minute he could get. We had been sitting up rather late."
"But why, Raffles? What could you have to talk about all night when you were tired and it was Teddy's business to keep fresh for to-day? Why, after all, should he want to see you the moment you got back? He's not the first young fellow who's got rather suddenly engaged to a charming girl; is he in any trouble about it, Raffles?"
"About his engagement—not that I'm aware."
"Then he is in some trouble?"
"He was, Mr. Garland," answered Raffles. "I give you my word that he isn't now."
Mr. Garland grasped the back of a chair.
"Was it some money trouble, Raffles? Of course, if my boy has given you his confidence, I have no right simply as his father—"
"It is hardly that, sir," said Raffles, gently; "it is I who have no right to give him away. But if you don't mind leaving it at that, Mr. Garland, there is perhaps no harm in my saying that it was about some little temporary embarrassment that Teddy was so anxious to see me."
"And you helped him?" cried the poor man, plainly torn between gratitude and humiliation.