re was no doubt of that. For reasons of his own he had
drifted into St. Ange when very young. Most conveniently and soothingly
memory and old habits dropped from him--they had clung tenaciously to
Gaston. Jock adapted himself to circumstances and new environment with
flattering promptness.

The Black Cat felt no resentment toward him after the first few months.
His English became blurred with regard to grammar; the local speech was
good enough for him. When Jock's Past became troublesome, as it had done
from the very first, the Black Cat had consolation for its latest
recruit; and, while he did not sink quite so far as some of the natives,
the shortcoming was attributed more to youth than to the putting on of
airifications, as Tate said.

In a boyish, off-hand way, Filmer had always regarded Gaston as a
sign-board in an unexplored country. If things ever pressed too close,
Filmer believed Gaston would point him to safety.

A mystic something held them together. A common interest, consciously
cast into oblivion, but perfectly tangible and not to be denied, was the
unspoken passport in their intercourse.

Later, during the building of Drew's bungalow and their joint sympathy
for, and with, Joyce, Filmer had acknowledged Gaston, as a superior and,
spiritually, regarded him as a leader in an interesting adventure.

Gaston, the night when he faced Jude and him with the pointed question,
"What you going to do about it?" had fallen from Jock's high opinion,
and the crash had affected him to a painful extent.

"Oh! what's the good?" he had finally concluded.

Another friendship that had been formed in the lonely woods yet remained
to him, and he made the most of that. Drew's personality had stirred
Jock's emotions from the start. To look forward to a renewal of the
companionship was a distinct pleasure in the time when the dust of
Gaston's fallen image was blinding his eyes and smarting his heart.

Drew came, sick but unconquered. All the chivalry in Filmer rose to the
call. He gave his time to the young minister. Using up the little money
he had earned as builder, resigning his chance to go into camp, he
devoted himself to Drew day and night. He became one of the family at
the bungalow and a jocose familiarity was as much a part of Jock's
liking for a person, as were his tireless patience and capacity for
single-minded service.

Drew's maiden aunt, prim, proper and worldly-wise, was as much Aunt
Sally to Filmer as sh