e was
especially so.

He had been a clerk, without money or interest, but he had steadiness,
perseverance, and intelligence, and thus he rose to become junior
partner, and was now the head of the firm. He had realised a handsome
independence with, which he intended to return home; but he was doing so
much good in the place with it that he could not be spared, and this he
himself could not help seeing also, so he had stayed and stayed on,
fortunately for me, till I went there. He had travelled all over the
island, and knew as much about it as anybody in it. He was thus able to
give me a great deal of interesting information, of which I did not fail
to profit. After he had heard the account I gave of myself, he invited
me to take up my residence at his house.

"You must bring your dog too," he observed in a kind tone. "We must
keep him in a cool place, and not let him run about in the hot sun, or
he will be killing himself. And so you wish to set off to your
grandfather's property. I think that I can help you there also. A
young military friend of mine, Mr Nowell, is about to travel through
the country by way of Colombo to Trincomalee. You may travel together,
much, I hope, to your mutual satisfaction. He is a great sportsman,
and, very probably, during your journey, without being much delayed, you
will be able to see some elephant and buffalo hunting, and get, perhaps,
a shot at a deer and a wild boar or two."

I answered that I believed I should very much like to see the sport he
described, but that my experience was small in such matters. I had to
return to the tailor's to let him fit on my clothes, and to tell him
where to send them to.

"I shall now leave you with perfect satisfaction, my dear Marsden," said
Mr Henley in a tone which showed his regard for me. "I must now look
out for employment for myself, and have no doubt of finding it. I do
not intend to leave these seas for some time, so that I hope we may fall
in with each before long. One thing I promise you, that I will make
every inquiry I can for your brother; and should I gain any clue to him,
I will instantly write to Mr Fordyce, who will let you know what to do.
I had thought of proposing to leave Tommy Bigg with you, but I suspect
that in travelling through the country the little fellow would only be
an encumbrance to you, so I propose to take him with me, if he does not
break his heart at being separated from you."

We had left Tommy