t and big game
shooting lately."

His son looked at him suspiciously. This cheerfulness was unusual in
people he had worsted, and the unusual was always to be distrusted. But
to the less vigilant, ordinary mind Mr. Walkingshaw merely presented the
spectacle of a man of young middle-age with a heart some ten years
younger still.

"Of course it will be a wrench," he added, with a sobered air. "I'll
miss 'em all: Frank--Ellen--Jean. By Gad, I shall miss Jean. However, it
need only be for a year or two. Meanwhile--by Jingo, there's no doubt
about it!--this is the chance of my life. Let's see now, what does one
need? A revolver with six thingamajigs--top-boots and riding breeches--a
good compass--"

The chill voice of Andrew interrupted this catalogue.

"Once you go away, you've got to stay away."

"Stay away!"

"Your allowance will depend on that."

"My allowance!" gasped Heriot.

"Your estate has got to be administered by me just as though you were"
(instinctively this pious young man's face grew solemn) "taken away from
us."

"I wish I were not your father," sighed Heriot. "In happier
circumstances, the pleasure of kicking you would just be immense."

Andrew disliked physical brutality. His cheeks grew flabbier at the very
idea of such an outrage--even in theory.

"If you were to try anything of that kind, I warn you I'd withdraw my
alternative."

His father laughed reassuringly.

"Oh, you needn't keep your back against the bookcase: I'll leave the job
for some luckier devil."

A thought struck him.

"By the way, I've promised to give Jean and Frank enough to keep them
going. You'll see to that?"

"I'll carry out the provisions made when you were in your right mind."

"What provisions?"

"The terms of your will."

Mr. Walkingshaw looked at his son steadily and in silence. After a full
minute under this stare Andrew began to grow uneasy.

"There's to be no more nonsense, I warn you," he said.

"You mean either to rob your brother and sister of their money, or
revenge yourself by stopping their marriages? By Heaven, Andrew--"

He broke off and plunged into meditation. Then his eyes began to smile,
though his lips were now compressed.

"Very well," he murmured.

His son still felt a vague sense of apprehension.

"Mind, you've got to stay abroad."

"For ever?"

"You must give me your word you won't come back for two years certain,
and after that you lose your allowance if you land in Grea