edonia in a most impressive malediction.

When Sir Tancred Beauleigh received his lawyer's letter containing the
promissory note, he was not a little bewildered; Tinker was quick to
enlighten him; and he heard that angel child's explanation of his
application of mediaeval German methods to a modern monetary difficulty
with a grateful astonishment.

CHAPTER NINE

TINKER INTERVENES

Sir Tancred lingered on at Ardrochan Lodge, for he saw that in that
strong air Tinker was losing the last of the delicacy which had been
the effect of his attack of scarlet fever. And when Lord Crosland and
two other men joined him there, he was very well contented. The others
shared his content; Tinker, more and more the Baron Hildebrand of
Ardrochan, was quite happy, and there they stayed till the Scotch
winter came down on them in all its fell severity.

Then they moved southwards to Melton Mowbray, and hunted till the frost
put an end to that sport. On the third night of the frost, as they
were cutting for partners for a fresh rubber of bridge, Lord Crosland
said: "I tell you what, Beauleigh, the sooner we get out of this
weather the better. Let's be off to Monte Carlo, make up a pool, and
try that system of yours."

"It's a very good idea," said Sir Tancred. "The only question is
whether the English winter isn't good for Tinker. It's hardening, you
know."

"Always Tinker," said Lord Crosland with a smile. "I tell you what,
Nature ought to have made you a woman: what a splendid mother you'd
have made!"

"I think she'd have found she'd made a pretty bad mistake," said Sir
Tancred.

"Besides," said Lord Crosland, "the Admirable is as hard as a tenpenny
nail as it is. I've never seen the little beggar tired yet; and I've
seen him at the end of some hardish days."

"Well, we'll see," said Sir Tancred. "We're partners." And the game
went on.

Next morning he asked Tinker if he would like to go to the south of
France, or stay and be hardened. Tinker thought a while, made up his
mind that his father would like to go to the South of France, and said,
"I think I'm hard enough, sir,--to go on with. Besides,

"When the wind is in the East
It's neither fit for man nor beast.

In fact it shrivels me up. I should like some sunshine."

"Then we will go," said Sir Tancred.

Accordingly, the middle of the next week found them lodged at the Hotel
des Princes, Monte Carlo, enjoying the nourishing sunshine of the
R