ng, you ought to have had gumption enough to know how to take
care of it. Well, it will be a lesson to you to know how to behave
by-and-by when you come out among your own people as a prince. You
won't go pitching your jewels about then as if you were asking people to
come and help themselves."

"But it was like this, father--" began Glyn.

"Halt!" cried the Colonel sharply. "Wait till the Doctor comes. He is
going through it all quietly with you, and he has asked me to sit like a
judge till it has all been put before me, and then I am to give my
verdict. He asks me to say whether the matter shall be placed in the
hands of the police. Well, one of you had better ring, and--"

As he was speaking, there was a tap at the door, which was gently
opened, and the Doctor said, "May I come in?"

"Yes, sir. Come in, come in. I have had my say to the boys, and told
them what I think about their carelessness, and to a certain extent our
young friend here, Singh, agrees, I believe, that it was rather a
mistake for him to have that piece of vanity at school."

"I am glad, Colonel," said the Doctor, seating himself, "that they are
ready to confess a fault; but as one who seeks to hold the scales of
justice evenly, I hope you will excuse me for saying that I think my
pupils are not entirely to blame; for--I beg you will not be offended--I
venture to think it was rather indiscreet on your part to give way to my
young friend Singh, however much he may have pressed you, and placed in
his hands so valuable an heirloom."

"Humph! You think so, do you?" grunted the Colonel. "However, it is
not of so much consequence. He has got plenty more valuable jewels--
enough to make himself look as gay as a peacock by-and-by."

"Excuse me, Colonel Severn," said the Doctor stiffly; "I think the
matter is of very great consequence. Not only is it a serious loss--"

The Colonel grunted again.

"But I feel as if the honour and reputation of my school are at stake,
and it was for that reason that I wrote and asked you to come down to
consult with me as to what steps should be taken now towards the
recovery of the belt. This, before placing the matter in the hands of
the police."

"Oh, hang the police!" said the Colonel shortly. "We can settle this
little matter, I am sure, without calling in the help of policeman A or
Z."

"I am very glad to hear you say so, Colonel; for it would be most
repugnant to me, and painful to my staff of