ing like a sigh and turned to the door.

"Not going, are you?" said the guardian. "It's early yet."

"I am going," replied the ward quietly.

"By the way," said Mr Halgrove, as he reached the door, "by the way,
John--"

Jeffreys stopped with his hand on the latch.

"I was going to say," said the guardian, rising and looking for his
cigar-case, "that the little sum of money which was left by your father,
and invested for your benefit, has very unfortunately taken to itself
wings, owing to the failure of the undertaking in which it happened to
be invested. I have the papers here, and should like to show them to
you, if you can spare me five minutes."

Jeffreys knew nothing about money. Hitherto his school fees had been
paid, and a small regular allowance for pocket-money had been sent him
quarterly by his guardian. Now his guardian's announcement conveyed
little meaning to him beyond the fact that he had no money to count
upon. He never expected he would have; so he was not disappointed.

"I don't care to see the papers," he said.

"You are a philosopher, my friend," said his guardian. "But I have
sufficient interest in you, despite your financial difficulties, to
believe you might find this five-pound note of service on your travels."

"No, thank you," said Jeffreys, putting his hand behind his back.

"Don't mention it," said his guardian, returning it to his pocket.
"There is, when I come to think of it," added he, "a sovereign which
really belongs to you. It is the balance of your last quarter's
allowance, which I had been about to send to you this week. I would
advise you to take it."

"Is it really mine?"

"Pray come and look over the accounts. I should like to satisfy you."

"If it is really mine I will take it," said the boy.

"You are sensible," said his guardian, putting it into his hand. "You
are perfectly safe in taking it. It is yours. It will enable you to
buy a few postage stamps. I shall be interested to hear of your
success. Good-bye."

Jeffreys, ignoring the hand which was held out to him, walked silently
from the room. Mr Halgrove stood a moment and listened to the
retreating footsteps. Then he returned to his chair and rang the bell.

"Mrs Jessop," said he, "Mr Jeffreys is going on a journey. Will you
kindly see he has a good meal before starting?"

Mrs Jessop went upstairs and found Jeffreys writing a letter.

"Master says you're going a journey, sir."

"Yes. I