ld take in no more of the future than what
lay before him on this one night. The sudden prospect now of being
turned out into the street was overwhelming.

"I think you are mistaken," repeated Mr Halgrove, tossing the end of
his cigar into the fireplace and yawning.

"But, sir," began Jeffreys, raising himself slowly to his feet, for he
was stiff and cramped after his long journey, "I've walked--"

"So you said," interrupted Mr Halgrove, incisively. "You will be used
to it."

At that moment Jeffreys decided the question of his night's lodging in a
most unlooked-for manner by doing what he had never done before, and
what he never did again.

He fainted.

When he next was aware of anything he was lying in his own bed upstairs
in broad daylight, and Mr Halgrove's housekeeper was depositing a tray
with some food upon it at his side. He partook gratefully, and dropped
off to sleep again without rousing himself enough to recall the events
of the past evening. When, however, late in the afternoon, he awoke,
and went over in his mind the events of the last few days, a dismal
feeling of anxiety came over him and dispelled the comfort of his
present situation. He got out of bed slowly and painfully, for he was
very stiff and footsore. He knew not at what moment his guardian might
return to the unpleasant topic of last night's conversation, and he
resolved to end his own suspense as speedily as possible. He took a
bath and dressed, and then descended resolutely but with sad misgivings
to the library. Mr Halgrove was sitting where his ward had left him
yesterday evening.

"Ah," said he, as the boy entered, "early rising's not your strong
point, is it?"

"I only woke half an hour ago."

"And you are anxious, of course, to know whether you have been inquired
for by the police?" said the guardian, paring his nails.

Jeffreys' face fell.

"Has some one been?" he asked. "Have you heard anything?"

"No one has been as yet except the postman. He brought me a letter from
Bolsover, which will probably interest you more than it does me. It's
there on the table."

Jeffreys took up a letter addressed in Mr Frampton's hand.

"Am I to read it?"

"As you please."

Jeffreys opened the letter and read:--

"Bolsover, _October_ 12.

"S. Halgrove, Esq.

"Dear Sir,--I regret to inform you that your ward, John Jeffreys, left
Bolsover secretly last night, and has not up to the present moment
returned. If he has ret