wealth, Merton thought, a short, stout gentleman with fiery
whiskers, not at all fashionably dressed. He broke upon the embrace
with a threatening stick. The pair separated, the young lover facing
him, proud, erect, defiant, the girl drooping and confused.

The father discharged Merton Gill with great brutality, then went to
the safe at the back of the room, returning to shout the news that
he had been robbed by the man who would have robbed him of his
daughter. It looked black for Merton. Puzzled at first, he now saw
that the idolized brother of the girl must have taken the money. He
seemed about to declare this when his nobler nature compelled him to
a silence that must be taken for guilt.

The erring brother returned, accompanied by several customers.
"Bring a detective to arrest this man," ordered the father. One of
the customers stepped out to return with a detective. Again Merton
was slightly disquieted at perceiving that the detective was the
cross-eyed man. This person bustled about the place, tapping the
cooked meats and the cheeses, and at last placed his hand upon the
shoulder of the supposed thief. Merton, at Baird's direction, drew
back and threatened him with a blow. The detective cringed and said:
"I will go out and call a policeman."

The others now turned their backs upon the guilty man. Even the girl
drew away after one long, agonized look at the lover to whose
embrace she had so lately submitted. He raised his arms to her in
mute appeal as she moved away, then dropped them at his side.

"Give her all you got in a look," directed Baird. "You're saying: 'I
go to a felon's cell, but I do it all for you.' Dream your eyes at