naments, might have passed for a
gentleman. He wore a light suit--diamonds and turquoises blazed from
his fingers, a diamond stud flashed from his shirt front, and from his
heavy watch chain hung a bunch of seals and charms enough to supply half
a dozen, men of ordinary pretensions His light hat was tilted at an
angle on his head, his brilliant kid boots sparkled beneath the snow-
white "spats," and the lavender gloves he flourished in his hands were
light enough for a ball-room.

Once he might have been a handsome man. There were still traces of
determination about his mouth, his nose was finely cut, and his
lustreless eyes still retained occasional flashes of their old spirit.
There was a recklessness in his face and demeanour which once, when it
belonged to an honest man, might been attractive; and when he took off
his hat and you saw the well-shaped head with its crisp curly hair, you
could not help feeling that you saw the ruin of a fine fellow.

It was when he began to talk that you would best understand what a ruin
it was. He was chary of his oaths and loose expressions--but when he
spoke the words came out vulgarly, with a sleepy, half-tipsy drawl,
which jarred on the ear.

Any words from the lips of Robert Ratman, however, would have jarred on
the ears of Captain Oliphant.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" said the new arrival, putting his hat
cheerfully on the writing-table and helping himself to an easy-chair.
"As usual, writing _billets doux_ to the ladies! Ah, Teddy, my boy, at
your time of life too! Now, for a youngster like me--"

"I thought you would not be able to leave Southampton till the end of
the week?"

"Couldn't resist the temptation of giving you a pleasant surprise. Why,
Teddy, you look exactly as if you thought it was the arm of the law on
your shoulder and heard the rattle of the handcuffs. Never mind.
They're all safe. I know where they keep them."

"Ratman," said the captain, "you have a very poor idea of humour. You
have made me blot my letter, and I shall have to write it over again."

"Take your time, old boy. No hurry. I shall not be going away for six
months or so."

Captain Oliphant came to the conclusion he had better finish the letter
with the blot than attempt a new one. Having done so, he put it in his
pocket, and turned with a good show of coolness to his guest.

"When do we run down to Maxfield?" inquired the latter.

"Not for some time. There is illness in