k
out, and a more than usually difficult one it was. Here was the young
Marquis of Beckenham, I told myself, only son of his father, heir to a
great name and enormous estates, induced to travel by my
representations. There was a conspiracy afoot in which, I could not help
feeling certain, the young man was in some way involved. And yet I had
no right to be certain about it after all, for my suspicions at best
were only conjectures. Now the question was whether I ought to warn the
Duke or not? If I did I might be frightening him without cause, and
might stop his son's journey; and if I did not, and things went
wrong--well, in that case, I should be the innocent means of bringing a
great and lasting sorrow upon his house. Hour after hour I turned this
question over and over in my mind, uncertain how to act. The clocks
chimed their monotonous round, the noises died down and rose again in
the streets, and daylight found me only just come to a decision. I would
_not_ tell them; but at the same time I would make doubly sure that I
sailed aboard that ship myself, and that throughout the voyage I was by
the young man's side to guard him from ill.

Breakfast time came, and I rose from my bed wearied with thought. Even a
bath failed to restore my spirits. I went downstairs and, crossing the
hall again, examined the rack. Another letter awaited me. I passed into
the dining-room and, seating myself at my table, ordered breakfast.
Having done so, I turned to my correspondence. Fate seemed to pursue me.
On this occasion the letter was from the lad's father, the Duke of
Glenbarth himself, and ran as follows:--

"Sandridge Castle, Bournemouth,
"Wednesday.

"DEAR MR. HATTERAS,

"My son tells me he has acquainted you with the news of his
departure for Australia next week. I don't doubt this will cause
you some little surprise; but it has been brought about by a
curious combination of circumstances. Two days ago I received a
letter from my old friend, the Earl of Amberley, who, as you know,
has for the past few years been Governor of the colony of New South
Wales, telling me that his term of office will expire in four
months. Though he has not seen my boy since the latter was two
years old, I am anxious that he should be at the head of affairs
when he visits the colony. Hence this haste. I should have liked
nothing better than to have accompanied him myself, but bu