both, and picked up a letter.

"I have just heard from Colonel Severn inquiring after your welfare,
though he says that one of you proves to be a very fair correspondent."

The Doctor turned over the letter and read a scrap here and there,
almost muttering, as if to himself, and then aloud:

"Ah, here it is," he said: "I hope Singh is taking care of his belt, and
that he is not foolish enough to wear it at any time."

The Doctor looked up from one to the other.

"I must confess to feeling a little puzzled here," he continued.
"`Foolish enough to wear it at any time.' Now, as a boy, I have a very
vivid recollection of regularly wearing a belt, especially when
cricketing or running. We had a tradition amongst us that a belt was a
very valuable support; and then we have antiquity on our side, the
_cestus_, for instance, and allusions in the old writers regarding the
gladiatorial sports, and the use of the belt by strong men. Does the
Colonel mean the reverse of what he says, and is this a hint that I
should give you a word of warning, Mr Singh, not to neglect its use?"

The Doctor directed a glance at Glyn, and then said sternly: "Have I
said anything, Mr Severn, to excite your risible muscles?" For he had
detected the exchange of a glance between the boys and a faint smile
upon Glyn's lips.

"No, sir. I beg your pardon, sir. It is only the remark about the
belt."

"Well, sir, I was not aware that in my remark about the belt I had said
anything facetious. Perhaps, Mr Singh, you can explain Colonel
Severn's allusion without turning my words into a subject for
buffoonery."

Singh looked questioningly at Glyn.

"I am speaking to you, Mr Singh," continued the Doctor angrily. "Have
the goodness to reply yourself. You can do so without Mr Severn's
aid."

"Yes, sir," said Singh hastily; "but Glyn Severn gave me strict orders
not to speak about the belt to anybody."

"Dear me!" said the Doctor, looking from one to the other. "And by what
authority?"

"My guardian's, I suppose, sir."

"Dear me!" said the Doctor again. "The Colonel says he hopes that you
are not so foolish as to wear the belt at any time. Your schoolfellow
forbids you to speak about it to any one. Well, there, I do not wish to
ask impertinent questions. That will do, gentlemen. I merely sent to
you for enlightenment. You need say no more."

"I beg your pardon, sir; I think I ought to," said Glyn. "I did tell
Singh not to talk ab