"Your obedient servant,
"HARRY NORLAND."
"Perhaps," said the Secretary, "it is in connection with this letter that I have this day received a packet of bank-notes amounting in all to the sum of five thousand pounds. The packet is endorsed 'Restitution money.'"
"Bank-notes, gentlemen," said the Chairman significantly, "may be traced if necessary."
The Directors looked at each other. This was, indeed, a very remarkable story, and one never before brought to the notice of any Board.
"Gentlemen," said the Chairman, "you have heard the letter; you now have the case before you. I should like to hear your views."
"We are likely to get most of our money back," said one of the Directors, "it seems to me, by holding our tongues. That is the main thing."
"If we could get Lord Harry himself," said another, "I should say: Go for him, but not for his wife. I wonder we ever took his life at all. If all stories are true about him he is as bad as they make 'em. He ran away when he was a boy, and went to sea: he was a strolling actor after that: he went out to the States and was reported to have been seen in the West: he has been a ship's steward: he has been on the turf. What has he not been?"
"We have got the money," said another; "that is the great thing. We must remember that we should never have found out the thing unless—"
"The Company must not compound a felony," said the Chairman.
"Certainly not. By no means. At the same time, would any good purpose be served by public scandal in connection with a noble House?"