for
anything else he might get up with false moustache or something; but
you see he has got to pass a strict examination by a surgeon. I have
heard that lots of fellows do enlist under age, but then some fellows
look a good bit older than they are. I don't believe any doctor would be
humbugged into believing that Edgar is anything like eighteen."

"Well, I will write to my father this afternoon and hear what he says.
If he thinks I cannot do any good and they don't want me at home, I
shall be very pleased to come to you."

Captain Clinton's letter came by return of post. He said that he was
very pleased Rupert had had an invitation that would keep him away. "We
have received no news whatever of Edgar, and I don't think that it would
be of any use for you to join in the search for him. There is no saying
where he may have gone or what he may be doing. I agree with you that he
will most likely take any job that offers to keep him until he can
enlist. Arrangements have been made with one of the staff sergeants at
the head-quarters of recruiting in London to let us know if any young
fellow answering to Edgar's description comes up to be medically
examined. So we shall catch him if he presents himself there.
Unfortunately there are such a number of recruiting depots all over the
country, that there is no saying where he may try to enlist--that is, if
he does try. However, at present there is certainly nothing you can do.
I should like to have you home, and your mother says she should like you
too, but I do think that for her sake it is better you should not come.
As long as you are away there is nothing to recall at every moment the
fact that Edgar has gone, whereas if you were here his absence would be
constantly be before her. She is quite ill with anxiety, and Dr.
Wilkinson agrees with me that change is most desirable. I am sure she
would not hear of going away if you were at home; it would give her a
good excuse for staying here; but when she hears that you are not coming
I think I may be able to persuade her to listen to Wilkinson's opinion,
and in that case I shall take her and Madge down to Nice at once. If I
can get her there by Christmas so much the better, for Christmas at home
would be terribly trying to us all. Once we are there, we can wander
about for two or three months in Italy or Spain, or across to Algeria or
Egypt--anything to distract her mind."

Accordingly Rupert accepted Easton's invitation, and wen