of the runaway son having
entertained him for a year at his own lodgings; at the end of which time
the prodigal, so far from enlisting, took to the stage, and spent
another year, at least, with a company of strolling players.

"We have your unfortunate's nephew's story," proceeded the tutor,
"carefully traced up to a certain point, and if either you or Mr Ratman
are interested in the matter, we can produce our witnesses. Your memory
is a treacherous one, Robert Ratman. It is no use asking you, I fear,
what became of you after a certain riot in Boulogne when you, as the
Ghost in `Hamlet,' and your fellow-tragedians were mobbed for not paying
the rent of your hall?"

Mr Ratman, who during this cross-examination had passed through all the
stages from blustering rage to abject discomfiture, sank back on his
chair and turned a livid face to his questioner. He had sense enough to
see that the game was up; and not being an actor himself, he was at a
loss to conceal his defeat. The tutor's cold, keen gaze took the heart
out of him.

"Lying dog!" snarled he, "I've had enough of your questions. You think
yourself clever, but I'll be even with you yet. I'll ruin the lot of
you--you and your fellow-scoundrel and his brats, who don't know yet
what it is to have a felon for a father. You'll be sorry for this."

So saying, he took up his bag, and with the best swagger he could assume
slunk from the room.

"See--stay here, young man," said the Mayor excitedly; "there's
something else."

But he was gone. The outer door slammed to and his footsteps died
gradually away down the street.

Mr Armstrong and the stranger exchanged glances in silence. Then the
Mayor turned to Mr Armstrong with a stern face.

"Seems to me, sir," said he, "that if that young man's the knave, you're
uncommon like the fool. You'll excuse me mentioning it after the
service you have just rendered to the cause of veracity, but it's a
solemn fact."

"I have heard the same opinion expressed by other authorities, and I
have no doubt it is true. You mean to tell me I should have extorted
from him a written recantation of his claim?"

"That's so; you guess right. Consequence is, I'm bound to stay now as a
witness to see this quarrel through. Here have I come on a pleasure-
trip to see my relatives, and it seems I've got to combine business and
pleasure after all."

"You forget I've no hold over this man. He does not claim the property,
althoug