ty, I
knew the whole thing would end in smoke, as indeed to all outward
appearance it shortly did; for Dr. Downie advised him not to be in too
great a hurry, and whatever he did to do it gradually. He therefore took
no further action than to show marked favour to practical engineers and
mechanicians. Moreover he started an aeronautical society, which made
Bridgeford furious; but so far, I am afraid it has done us no good, for
the first ascent was disastrous, involving the death of the poor fellow
who made it, and since then no one has ventured to ascend. I am afraid
we do not get on very fast."

"Did the King," I asked, "increase your salary?"

"Yes. He doubled it."

"And what do they say in Sunch'ston about our father's second visit?"

George laughed, and shewed me the newspaper extract which I have already
given. I asked who wrote it.

"I did," said he, with a demure smile; "I wrote it at night after I
returned home, and before starting for the capital next morning. I
called myself 'the deservedly popular Ranger,' to avert suspicion. No
one found me out; you can keep the extract, I brought it here on
purpose."

"It does you great credit. Was there ever any lunatic, and was he
found?"

"Oh yes. That part was true, except that he had never been up our way."

"Then the poacher is still at large?"

"It is to be feared so."

"And were Dr. Downie and the Professors canonized after all."

"Not yet; but the Professors will be next month--for Hanky is still
Professor. Dr. Downie backed out of it. He said it was enough to be a
Sunchildist without being a Sunchild Saint. He worships the jumping cat
as much as the others, but he keeps his eye better on the cat, and sees
sooner both when it will jump, and where it will jump to. Then, without
disturbing any one, he insinuates himself into the place which will be
best when the jump is over. Some say that the cat knows him and follows
him; at all events when he makes a move the cat generally jumps towards
him soon afterwards."

"You give him a very high character."

"Yes, but I have my doubts about his doing much in this matter; he is
getting old, and Hanky burrows like a mole night and day. There is no
knowing how it will all end."

"And the people at Sunch'ston? Has it got well about among them, in
spite of your admirable article, that it was the Sunchild himself who
interrupted Hanky?"

"It has, and it has not. Many of us know the truth, but a