efore they had
sat down to breakfast announcing their safe arrival. It contained simply
the words, "Thank God! Come home at once."

They went off to dinner with Skinner on board ship, and the story of
their adventures excited immense interest among the officers. Skinner
returned with them on shore, and remained with them until the steamer
left in the afternoon. Yussuf, who had been rigged out in white
trousers and jacket, a checked shirt, and straw hat, accompanying them.
The two sheiks saw them off, and stood looking after them with grave
regret until the steamer was far from land. At Suez Edgar and Rupert
provided themselves with a stock of linen and clothing; two days later
they took passage to Brindisi in a P. and O. steamer, and travelled
rapidly across Europe. Their colour excited much surprise among the
passengers on board the steamer, but as they had no wish to keep on
telling their story they kept themselves apart, and made no
acquaintances during the short voyage. Yussuf was astounded at
everything he saw: the ship and her machinery, the trains, the fertile
country through which they travelled, the frequent villages, and great
towns. There was no stay in London. They drove across from Charing Cross
to Paddington, and went down by the first train. A telegram had been
despatched from Dover, and a carriage was at the station to meet them,
and the servant handed Rupert a note. It contained a few words from his
father, saying that he had not come to meet them, as he thought it
better that they should all meet together at home. It was Edgar who
received the first greeting from father, mother, and sister, while
Rupert stood by, well content that his brother should on this occasion
come first. It was little over a year since he had said good-bye to
them, while it was more than three since Edgar had seen them, and his
own greeting, though delayed for a moment, was no less warm than that of
Edgar.

"Father and mother," Edgar began as soon as they turned again from
Rupert, "I want to say that I feel how wrong I was--"

"Then don't say it," Captain Clinton broke in. "We won't talk about that
time at all. You suffered, and we have all suffered; but good has come
out of it. Thank God the matter is settled now for ever, and we know
there is nothing more to be found out about it, and that there is no
fear of our ever having to look at one or other of you in a different
light to that with which we regard you, as our two son