m not at liberty to say anything," said Ralph,
looking mysterious.

"I think I ought to be the first to be told," said Kit, not
unreasonably.

"You will be told soon. There is one thing I can tell you, however. You
are not to go back to boarding school on Monday."

Kit paused in the street, and gazed at his companion in surprise.

"Are you going back?" he asked.

"Yes; I'm going to keep on till I am ready for college."

"And what is to be done with me?"

Ralph shrugged his shoulders.

"I am not at liberty to tell you," he answered.

"I shall ask my uncle this very day."

"Just as you please."

Kit walked on in silence. His mind was busy with thoughts of the change
in his prospects. He did not know what was coming, but he was anxious.
It was likely to be a turning point in his life, and he was apprehensive
that the information soon to be imparted to him would not be of an
agreeable nature.

CHAPTER II.

INTRODUCES THREE CURIOSITIES.

Stephen Watson, uncle of Kit and father of Ralph, was a man of middle
age. It was difficult to trace any resemblance between him and his
nephew. The latter had an open face, with a bright, attractive
expression. Mr. Watson was dark and sallow, of spare habit, and there
was a cunning look in his eyes, beneath which a Roman nose jutted out
like a promontory. He looked like the incarnation of cold selfishness,
and his real character did not belie his looks.

Five years before Kit Watson's father had died. He resembled Kit in
appearance, and was very popular in Smyrna. His brother wound up the
estate, and had since been living in luxury, but whether the property
was his or his nephew's Kit was unable to tell. He had asked the
question occasionally, but his uncle showed a distaste for the subject,
and gave evasive replies.

What Kit had just heard made him anxious, and he resolved to attack his
uncle once more. After dinner, therefore, he began:

"Uncle Stephen, Ralph tells me I am not going back to school on
Monday."

"Ralph speaks correctly," Mr. Watson replied in a measured voice.

"But why am I not to go?"

"I will explain before the time comes."

"Can you not tell me now? I am anxious to know."

"You must curb your curiosity. You will know in good time."

Kit regarded his uncle in silence. He wished to know what had caused
this remarkable change, but it seemed useless to ask any more questions.

The next morning he and Dan Clark, according to agreement