aptain ascertained that of Walter's uncle, and with this information he
returned home.

"You must have patience, my boy," he said. "If you are not tired of
staying with us, we are not tired of you."

On reaching home, the captain wrote the three letters. Several days
passed by, and no answer came. At length two appeared by the same post.
One was from the orphans' uncle, stating that he had children of his
own, and that he had long ceased to have any communication with his
brother. He must therefore decline interfering in the matter. The
other contained the words:--"Lord Heatherly presents his compliments to
Mr Davenport, and not having been personally acquainted with the late
Mr Heathfield for many years, must decline in any way interfering with
regard to any children he may have left."

"Oh dear me!" said Mrs Davenport, when she saw the letters. "If the
poor young orphans are treated in this way by their nearest relative and
by the head of their family, I am afraid we can expect very little from
the only other relation we have heard of."

"Well, my dear wife," said the captain, "if nobody else looks after
them, God intends that we shall. We must not decline the charge he has
given us, but do the best we can for them."

The following day a private cab was seen passing along the street with a
sporting-looking tiger behind. The gentleman driving stopped once or
twice, then turning round, brought up at Captain Davenport's door. Down
jumped the tiger, and out sprang the gentleman. Walter and Emily were
in the parlour.

"Why, that is cousin Tom!" exclaimed Walter, and he ran out to open the
front door.

Cousin Tom came in, and shook hands with Walter and Emily, and was soon
talking away to Mrs Davenport as if he had known her all his life.

"I am very much obliged to you and to your worthy husband for all you
have done for these young people," he said. "And my poor cousin Harry,
I little thought he was so soon to be cut off. However, we must not
talk about those sort of things. Why, Walter, you are almost a man now.
We must see what we can do for you. Your uncle Bob will not help you;
I have heard all about that. We will not talk about him; and as for
Heatherly, there is no help to be got from him. I am going out of town
to-night, or I would have had you, Walter, come and dine with me and
talk matters over. However, if your friends will look after you for a
day or two longer, I hope we may settle so