out it, and to keep it safely locked up in his box,
for it is very valuable, and I believe it is the one that his father the
Maharajah used to wear."

"Oh," said the Doctor, "now I begin to understand. But a belt, you
say?"

"Yes, sir," said Glyn, "an ornamental belt with a large clasp formed of
three emeralds engraved with words in Sanskrit."

"Then it is quite an article of ornamentation?" said the Doctor.

"Yes, sir."

"And valuable, I suppose?"

"I suppose so, sir, very valuable, besides being a family relic that has
been worn by the different chiefs for many years past."

"A family heirloom, then," said the Doctor in a tone which showed his
interest. "Now I understand," and he smiled pleasantly. "I hope that
`he is not foolish enough to wear it at any time.'--Of course; hardly an
article of ornament for a young scholar to wear, Mr Singh."

"No, sir," replied the boy. "That's what Glyn said."

"And very properly," continued the Doctor, giving the lad in question a
friendly nod.

"And that I was not to show it to anybody, sir."

"Quite right, Mr Singh, and I am very glad to hear that your
schoolfellow displays a wisdom beyond his years. You see, the world is
far from perfection; and weak, wicked, foolish people might have their
cupidity excited by the sight of such an object, with results that would
be extremely painful to every one here. May I ask, then--by the way--is
this belt attractive-looking?"

"Yes, sir, very handsome," said Glyn. "It is meant to bear a jewelled
sword."

"Dear me!" cried the Doctor. "I hope that Mr Singh has no lethal
weapon of that kind in his room."

"Oh no, sir," said Singh hastily.

"I am glad to hear it," said the Doctor, smiling; and he took up and
raised his quill-pen, giving it a gentle nourish in the air. "Remember,
my dear boy, what one of our writers has said: that the pen is mightier
than the sword. And where may this handsome belt be?"

"Locked up in the bottom of my trunk that I brought from India, sir."

"In your room, then?" said the Doctor.

"Yes, sir."

"But securely locked up, you say?"

"Yes, sir," replied Singh, colouring a little, as he directed a sharp
glance at Glyn, who added to his confusion by making a grimace.

"Ah," said the Doctor thoughtfully, "that is quite right. Emeralds," he
continued thoughtfully, "engraved with Sanskrit letters. An ancient
Indian relic, of course. And very curious, no doubt. It is quite an
old cust