he was indeed quite a favorite with them all. He looked at
Everard keenly when the first greetings were over.

"Been getting yourself into considerable hot water just lately, haven't
you?" he remarked.

Everard colored and frowned, then burst forth.

"Grandfather's quite too ridiculous! Why shouldn't I take out the car if
I want to? I can drive as well as Milner! He behaved as if I were a kid!
It's more than a fellow can stand sometimes! He likes to keep everything
tight in his own hands; at his age it's time he began to stand aside a
little and let _me_ look after things! I shall have to take charge of
the whole property some day, I suppose!"

Mr. Bowden was gazing at Everard with the noncommittal air often assumed
by lawyers.

"I wouldn't make too sure about that," he said slowly. "I suppose you
know your Uncle Tristram left a child? No! Well, he did, at any rate. I
must hurry on now. I've an appointment to keep at my office. A happy New
Year to you all. Good-by!"

And, starting his engine, he was off before they had time to reply.

"What does he mean?" asked Lilias, watching the retreating bicycle.
"Uncle Tristram has been dead for thirteen years! We never seem to have
heard anything about him!"

"What was that photo we saw on the study table?" queried Dulcie. "Don't
you remember--the lady and the baby, and it had written on it: 'My wife
and Leslie, from Tristram.'"

"I suppose it was Uncle Tristram's wife and child," replied Everard
thoughtfully. "He must have called the kid 'Leslie' after Grandfather.
They ought to have christened _me_ 'Leslie.' I can't think why they
didn't."

"Have we a cousin Leslie, then, whom we don't know?"

"I suppose we must have, somewhere!"

"How fearfully thrilling!"

"Um! I don't know that it's thrilling at all. It's the first I've heard
of it until to-day. I wish our father had been the eldest son, instead
of Uncle Tristram!"

"Why? What does it matter?"

"It may matter more than you think. You're a silly little goose, Dulcie,
and, as I often tell you, you never see farther than the end of your own
nose. Surely, after all these years, though, Grandfather _must_----"

"Must what?" asked Lilias curiously.

"Never you mind! Girls can't know everything!" snapped Everard, walking
on in front of his sisters with a look of unwonted worry upon his
usually careless and handsome young face.

CHAPTER III

A Valentine Party

Chilcombe Hall, where Lilias and Dulci