heir direction. As the
door closed behind him it opened again to admit Justice Barrington and
Dr. Kingsley.

"Where are they?" asked Uncle Geof, peering about the dark room as if
the boys might be hidden behind some table or chair.

"Boys," called the doctor, "where are you?"

Then they walked out--such a funny-looking trio! Rex's table-cover
robe floated behind him, and the style of his wig was certainly unique.
Selwyn had brought away on his coat a goodly share of the dust of the
cupboard. His brown hair stood on end, and his blue eyes were shining
with excitement. But his "ludship" brought down the house. He came
forth holding up his long gown on each side, his bands were almost
under his left ear, his wig was on one side, and his glasses awry! The
contrast between his magisterial garb and his round young face and
merry hazel eyes was too much for the gravity of the two gentlemen.
With a glance at each other they burst into a long, hearty laugh, in
which the boys joined.

A little later, the gown and wig having been restored to their proper
places by the much scandalized Jarvis, the party returned to Portland
Square. And none of the boys thought of mentioning that Charlie had
signed a document with his uncle's name, which he had not read.

A few days after this Dr. Kingsley and his family left England for the
Continent, taking Rex with them, and not until September did they
return to London for a short visit before sailing for America.

"I have an account to settle with you, Master Charlie," said Uncle
Geoffrey, the first evening, when they were all assembled in the
drawing-room. "Do you recollect a certain visit to my chambers when
you represented a judge of the Queen's Bench?"

Charlie, Selwyn and Rex looked at each other, laughed, and nodded.

"Do you remember signing a paper?" asked the justice.

"Yes," said Charlie; "but it was an old dingy-looking one--we didn't
read it--I just signed it for fun."

"I told Charlie to put your name to it," broke in Rex, eagerly. "Is
anything wrong, papa?"

"I will tell you the story and you shall judge for yourself," said the
justice, smiling. "As it happened, the paper Charlie signed was not an
old one. It was in reference to removing an orphan boy from one
guardianship to another. He is about as old as Charlie, and it appears
that the first guardian ill-treated the little fellow under the guise
of kindness, being only intent on gain. When the paper wh