order, let
us say, probably the worst possible companion for yourself, and a bad
friend to the people who already count you as their master. Had he been
living with any desire or intention of claiming his title, he would
certainly have come forward months ago--"

"I know all that, Armstrong," said the boy; "I know perfectly well you
are bringing up all these points as a friend, to prevent my taking a
rash step of which I shall afterwards be sorry. I don't care how bad he
is, or what it costs, I mean to find him; and if you help me, I'm
confident I shall. Only," said he regretfully, "I certainly wish it was
the boy in the picture, and not a middle-aged person, who is to be
looked for."

Here Tom broke in upon the conference.

"Hullo, Roger, here you are! What are you up to? You and Armstrong
look as blue as if you'd swallowed live eels. I say, you're a nice
chap. Rosalind has been waiting half an hour, she says, for that ride
you were to go with her, and if you don't look sharp she'll give Ratman
the mount and jockey you, my boy. Poor old Ratty! didn't Jill drop on
him like a sack of coals at breakfast? Jolly rough on the governor
having to stroke him down after it. I say, mind you're in in time to
receive the deputation. They're all going to turn up, and old Hodder's
to make a speech. I wouldn't miss it for a half sov! All I know is I'm
jolly glad I'm not an heir. It's far jollier to be an ordinary chap;
isn't it, Mr Armstrong?"

"Decidedly," said the tutor demurely; "but we can't all be what we
like."

"Tell Rosalind I'll be down in a second; I'm awfully sorry to have kept
her," said Roger.

"By the way," said the tutor, when Tom had gone; "about this letter.
The communication is evidently made to you by your father as a secret.
I am sorry, on that account, you showed it to me, because I object to
secrets not meant for me. But if you take my advice you will not let it
go further. It would be clearly contrary to the wishes of your father."

"I see that. Lock the will up in your desk again; I'll take care of the
letter. Nobody but you and I shall know of their existence. And now I
must go to Rosalind."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

WHAT A HORSEWHIP DISCOVERED.

Mr Ratman's business interview with his friend was short and stormy.

When Captain Oliphant produced the hundred-pound note, and requested his
creditor to accept a fresh bill for the balance, that injured gentleman
broke out into very