in Blake's character
that made such a failure possible. Then it's known that personal
courage was always a characteristic of your family."

"His mother was my sister. You have seen her portrait."

Greythorpe made a sign of assent. He knew the picture of the woman
with the proud, determined face.

"And the other side? Was the strain equally virile?" he asked.

"You shall judge," said Challoner. "You and Margaret Keith are the
only people to whom I have ever spoken freely of these things. I am
sure of your discretion and sympathy."

He crossed the floor and opening a cabinet came back with a photograph,
which he gave to his companion.

"Dick's father. He was famous as a daring rider across an Irish,
stone-wall country, and was killed when taking a dangerous leap."

Greythorpe studied the face, which was of Irish type, with bold eyes in
which a reckless twinkle showed. On the whole, it suggested an ardent
and somewhat irresponsible temperament.

"No sign of weakness there," he said. "Though he might be careless and
headstrong, this man would ride straight and stand fire. I can't hint
at an explanation of his son's disaster, but I imagine that one might
have been found if it had been diligently searched for. My opinion is
that there's something hidden, but whether it will ever come out is
another matter. But your nephew hasn't forfeited my liking. If I can
ever be of any service."

"Thanks; I know," said Challoner. "It looks as if he meant to cut
loose from all of us, and while I'm sorry for this I can't say that
he's wrong or that it's not a proper feeling. And now I think we'll
let the subject drop." He lighted a cigar before he resumed: "You look
rather jaded, and I understand that your responsibilities have been
added to. What have you done about the African appointment you
mentioned when last here? To be candid, I never thought the man lately
invalided home was in his right place."

"He was hardly decided enough," Greythorpe answered thoughtfully. "So
far, we haven't filled the post, though two or three names have been
suggested. We have a man out there now who has shown some enterprise
and ability, and are inclined to leave him informally in charge while
we consider things."

"In view of our friendly relations with the French, one would imagine
that the appointment needs careful thought. It's easy for undesirable
disputes to crop up, when you have turbulent native subjects to keep in