is father answered resolutely. He had
succeeded in obtaining an agent who appeared to be almost as well fitted
for the post as the recalcitrant major. This worthy had started off
already for Russia, where the scene of his operations was to lie.

"I hope so," said Ezra. "We have neglected no precaution. Langworthy
should be at Tobolsk by this time. I saw that he had a bag of rough
stones with him which would do well enough for his purpose."

"We have your money ready, too. I can rely upon rather over thirty
thousand pounds. Our credit was good for that, but I did not wish to
push it too far for fear of setting tongues wagging."

"I am thinking of starting shortly in the mail boat _Cyprian_," said
Ezra. "I should be at the diamond fields in little more than a month.
I dare say Langworthy won't show any signs for some time yet, but I may
as well be there as here. It will give me a little while to find my
way about. You see, if the tidings and I were to come almost
simultaneously, it might arouse suspicions. In the meantime, no one
knows our little game."

"Except your friend Clutterbuck."

A dark shadow passed over Ezra's handsome face, and his cruel lip
tightened in a way which boded little good to the old soldier should he
ever lie at his mercy.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE FIRST STEP.

It was a proud day for the ex-medical student when he first entered the
counting-house of the African firm and realized that he was one of the
governing powers in that busy establishment. Tom Dimsdale's mind was an
intensely practical one, and although he had found the study of science
an irksome matter, he was able to throw himself into business with
uncommon energy and devotion. The clerks soon found that the sunburnt,
athletic-looking young man intended to be anything but a sleeping
partner, and both they and old Gilray respected him accordingly.

The latter had at first been inclined to resent the new arrangement as
far as his gentle down-trodden nature could resent anything. Hitherto
he had been the monarch of the counting-house in the absence of the
Girdlestones, but now a higher desk had been erected in a more central
portion of the room, and this was for the accommodation of the new
comer. Gilray, after his thirty years of service, felt this usurpation
of his rights very keenly; but there was such a simple kindness about
the invader, and he was so grateful for any assistance in his new
duties, that the old cl