as at any time from their winter quarters. The
Major and Mrs. Trustcott, he soon learned, were Southerners; but they
would not turn homewards for another three months yet, at least. For
himself, he had no ideas beyond a general intention to reach Barham some
time in the autumn, before Jack went back to Cambridge for his fourth
year.

"The country is not prepossessing about here," observed the Major
presently; "Hampole is an exception."

Frank glanced back at the valley they were leaving. It had, indeed, an
extraordinarily retired and rural air; it was a fertile little tract of
ground, very limited and circumscribed, and the rail that ran through it
was the only sign of the century. But the bright air was a little dimmed
with smoke; and already from the point they had reached tall chimneys
began to prick against the horizon.

"You have been here before?" he said.

"Why, yes; and about this time last year, wasn't it, Gertie? I
understand a hermit lived here once."

"A hermit might almost live here to-day," said Frank.

"You are right, sir," said the Major.

* * * * *

Frank began to wonder, as he walked, as to why this man was on the
roads. Curiously enough, he believed his statement that he had been in
the army. The air of him seemed the right thing. A militia captain would
have swaggered more; a complete impostor would have given more details.
Frank began to fish for information.

"You have been long on the roads?" he said.

The Major did not appear to hear him.

"You have been long on the roads?" persisted Frank.

The other glanced at him furtively and rather insolently. "The younger
man first, please."

Frank smiled.

"Oh, certainly!" he said. "Well, I have left Cambridge at the end of
June only."

"Ah! Anything disgraceful?"

"You won't believe me, I suppose, if I say 'No'?"

"Oh! I daresay I shall."

"Well, then, 'No.'"

"Then may I ask--?"

"Oh, yes! I was kicked out by my father--I needn't go into details. I
sold up my things and came out. That's all!"

"And you mean to stick to it?"

"Certainly--at least for a year or two."

"That's all right. Well, then--Major--what did we say? Trustcott? Ah,
yes, Trustcott. Well, then, I think we might add 'Eleventh Hussars';
that's near enough. The final catastrophe was, I think, cards. Not that
I cheated, you understand. I will allow no man to say that of me. But
that was what was said. A gentleman of spirit, you