e you might make something of it in that way,"
returned the other. "But are you a seaman? I thought you had been in the
diplomatic service."

"I am an old yachtsman," said Norris; "and I must do the best I can. A
fellow can't live in New South Wales upon diplomacy. But the point I
wish to prepare you for is this. It will be impossible I should present
myself here next quarter-day; we expect to make a six months' cruise of
it among the islands."

"Sorry, Mr. Carthew: I can't hear of that," replied the lawyer.

"I mean upon the same conditions as the last," said Carthew.

"The conditions are exactly opposite," said the lawyer. "Last time I had
reason to know you were in the colony, and even then I stretched a
point. This time, by your own confession, you are contemplating a breach
of the agreement; and I give you warning if you carry it out, and I
receive proof of it (for I will agree to regard this conversation as
confidential), I shall have no choice but to do my duty. Be here on
quarter-day, or your allowance ceases."

"This is very hard, and, I think, rather silly," returned Carthew.

"It is not of my doing. I have my instructions," said the lawyer.

"And you so read these instructions that I am to be prohibited from
making an honest livelihood?" asked Carthew.

"Let us be frank," said the lawyer; "I find nothing in these
instructions about an honest livelihood. I have no reason to suppose my
clients care anything about that. I have reason to suppose only one
thing--that they mean you shall stay in this colony, and to guess
another, Mr. Carthew. And to guess another."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Norris.

"I mean that I imagine, on very strong grounds, that your family desire
to see no more of you," said the lawyer. "O, they may be very wrong; but
that is the impression conveyed, that is what I suppose I am paid to
bring about, and I have no choice but to try and earn my hire."

"I would scorn to deceive you," said Norris, with a strong flush; "you
have guessed rightly. My family refuse to see me; but I am not going to
England, I am going to the islands. How does that affect the islands?"

"Ah, but I don't know that you are going to the islands," said the
lawyer, looking down, and spearing the blotting-paper with a pencil.

"I beg your pardon. I have the pleasure of informing you," said Norris.

"I am afraid, Mr. Carthew, that I cannot regard that communication as
official," was the slow reply.