inside of the case:--

Presented to
CAPTAIN JOHN FENLEIGH,
OF THE "EVELINA" STEAMSHIP,

As a small acknowledgment of the skill and ability displayed by him
under circumstances of exceptional difficulty and danger.

"My father has a gold watch that was given to him when he retired from
business," said Raymond; "it's bigger than that, and has got our crest
on the back. By-the-bye," he continued, "aren't you afraid of having
it stolen? I shouldn't keep it in that cupboard, it I were you. You
are certain to get it stolen some day."

"Oh, we don't have any thieves at Brenlands," answered his aunt,
smiling.

"I've a jolly good mind to steal it myself," said Jack; "or it you
like, aunt, I'll exchange."

Jack's watch was always a standing joke against him, and, as he drew it
out, the bystanders laughed. It was something like the timepiece by
which, when the hands were at 9.30 and the bell struck three, one might
know it was twelve o'clock. The silver case was dented and scratched;
the long hand was twisted; the works, from having been taken to pieces
and hurriedly put together again in class, were decidedly out of order;
in fact, Jack was not quite certain if, when cleaning it on one
occasion, he had not lost one of the wheels.

Queen Mab laughed and shook her head. "No, thank you," she said. "I
think I should prefer to keep mine for the present, though one of you
shall have it some day."

Raymond always came down to breakfast long after the others had
finished. The next morning there was a letter waiting for him which
had been readdressed on from Melchester. He was still in a sulk, and
the contents of the epistle did not seem to improve his temper. He
devoured his food in silence, and then went off by himself to smoke at
the bottom of the garden.

"He is a surly animal," said Valentine. "I wish he had never come."

"Well, he's going to-morrow evening," answered Helen, "and I suppose we
must make the best of him till then."

During the remainder of the day Raymond kept to himself, and though,
after tea, he condescended to take part in some of the usual indoor
games, he did it in so ungracious a manner as to spoil the pleasure of
the other players.

Somehow the last day or so did not seem at all like the usual happy
times at Brenlands. There was a screw loose somewhere, and every one
was not quite so merry and good-tempered as usual.

"Bother it! wet again!" said Barbara, pushing back h