say "when my teachers were deceived," but the Colonel
checked him.

"There, there, there," he said; "that'll do, Singh. You are not the
first fellow of your age who has been imposed upon by a needy
scoundrel."

"No," said the Doctor sharply. "If any one is to blame it is I, who
pitied the position of a man out of employment and tried to befriend
him. Well, Colonel Severn, I am very sorry; but it is forced upon me.
I feel it a duty to you to try and make some recompense."

"Oh, nonsense!" said the Colonel rather haughtily. "I need no
recompense."

"Indeed, sir," said the Doctor, "but I am answerable to Mr Singh here
for his loss through my want of care and foresight."

"Oh, pooh, sir! pooh! The belt was not worth much; eh, Singh?"

"Oh no," said the boy contemptuously, and raising his head he walked up
to the Doctor and held out his hand. "Don't say any more about it, sir,
please," he added rather proudly. "I don't mind losing the belt a bit."

"Oh, but," cried the Doctor, catching at and pressing the boy's hand
warmly, "this is very brave and noble of you, my boy. Still I must put
aside all false shame and accept the punishment that may fall upon me
from the want of confidence that people may feel in the future.--Colonel
Severn, this must go into the hands of the police. Such a man as this
must be run down; it is a duty, and before he imposes upon others as he
has imposed upon me."

"No, no, no, my dear sir! No, no," cried the Colonel. "The swindling
scoundrel has had his punishment before this, so let him go."

"I beg your pardon," said the Doctor; "he cannot have had his
punishment; and such a man as this should not be allowed to be at
large."

"There, there, sir," cried the Colonel, laughing pleasantly, and greatly
to the annoyance of the Doctor that he should treat the loss of his
ward's valuable belt in so light a way. "I find that I must make a
confession. That belt really was not intrinsically worth more than a
ten-pound note. It cost me about twenty; but I very much doubt whether
the scoundrel would be able to sell it for a tithe of the amount."

"Guardian," cried Singh, "what are you saying?"

"Something in very plain English, my boy. Let's see, how old are you
now?"

"Sixteen, sir."

"Well, it's about two years since you began to attack me about letting
you have that part of the Dour regalia, and I wanted to satisfy you and
do my duty in the trust my good old friend your father