“They were given into my charge, my boy,” replied his father evasively, “and I behaved very weakly and foolishly in giving them up to your cousin.”
“Then you did give them up to Tom that day?”
“Yes, Sam, and it is a very troublesome matter. I tell you, I did not know what I was about then, and it will affect you very seriously by and by, if I don’t get them back.”
“You mean in money matters, father?” said Sam sharply.
“Yes; affect me now heavily, and you by and by.”
“Get them back then at once,” said Sam—the young lawyer giving the elder advice.
“Yes, Sam, my boy, that’s what I want to do, but how?”
“Write and tell young Tom to bring them up.”
James Brandon shook his head.
“No use—no use, my boy. I must have said a great many foolish things to the lad that day.”