minds scoured the Spanish
Main with Captain Pegg.

Suddenly The Seraph spoke in that cock-sure way of his.

"There's a piwate at Peggs."

Mrs. Handsomebody looked at him sharply.

"What's that?" she demanded. At the same instant Angel and I kicked him
under cover of the table.

"What did you say?" repeated Mrs. Handsomebody sternly.

"Funny ole gennelman at the Cwibbage Peggs," replied The Seraph with his
mouth full.

Mrs. Handsomebody greatly respected Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Pegg, and this
play of words on the name incensed her.

"Am I to understand Alexander," she gobbled, "that you are making _game_ of
the Mortimer Peggs?"

"Yes," giggled the wretched Seraph, "it's a cwibbage game. You play it wiv
Peggs."

"Leave the table instantly!" ordered Mrs. Handsomebody. "You are becoming
unbearable."

The Seraph cast one anguished look at his dumpling and burst into tears. We
could hear his wails growing ever fainter as he plodded up the stairs.

"Mary Ellen, remove that dumpling!" commanded Mrs. Handsomebody.

Angel and I began to eat very fast. There was a short silence; then Mrs.
Handsomebody said didactically:

"The elder Mr. Pegg is a much travelled gentleman, and one of the most
noted archaeologists of the day. A trifle eccentric in his manner perhaps
but a deep thinker. David, can you tell me what an archaeologist is?"

"Something you pretend you are," said Angel, "and you ain't."

"Nonsense!" snapped Mrs. Handsomebody. "Look it up in your Johnson's when
you go upstairs, and let me know the result. I will excuse you now."

We found The Seraph lounging in a chair in the schoolroom.

"Too bad about the dumpling, old boy," I said consolingly.

"Oh, not too bad," he replied. "Mary Ellen fetched it up the backstairs to
me. I'm vewy full."

That afternoon we saw Captain Pegg go for a walk with his son and
daughter-in-law. He looked quite altered in a long grey coat and tall hat.
Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Pegg seemed proud to walk with him.

The following day was warm and sunny. When lessons were over we rushed to
our bedroom window and to our joy we found that the window opposite was
wide open, the wicker cage on the sill with the starling inside swelling up
and preening himself in the sunshine, while just beyond sat Captain Pegg
smoking a long pipe.

He seemed delighted to see us.

"Avast, my hearties!" he cried. "It's glorious sailing weather, but I've
just been lying at anchor here, on the chance o