may have miscarried there.
You have heard, no doubt, that his father died in action in Afghanistan
in January?"

"Yes, I heard that--very gallantly."

"Yes; in fact, the boy would, I believe, if he could be found, be
entitled to a pension, besides what little property his father left.
The account of the action, as well as our advertisements, have been in
the papers. If Gerard is alive, he is probably somewhere beyond the
reach of the press, and for my own part I cannot see how he can be in
any but destitute circumstances."

This was all there was to say. But Mr Wilkins' task was not yet done.
He had been instructed to ascertain, if possible, something of Jeffreys'
present condition, and to sound him as to his willingness to see again
some of the friends of his old life.

"I am afraid," said he, "you too have had reverses, Mr Jeffreys."

"Never mind me, please," replied he.

"You are living near here?"

"No."

"You must excuse me if I take an interest in you--as a former
schoolfellow of young Forrester's. You have come through much since
then?"

"Not more than I deserve," said Jeffreys, fidgeting.

"My client, I think, would have been glad to see you; but as you made a
point of this interview being confidential, I was not justified in
asking him to be present."

"Oh no. I don't want to see any one."

"It would be a great help to my client, who is a stranger in London, if
you, who know Forrester, would assist him."

"Who is your client, may I ask?"

"My client," said Mr Wilkins, resolved to make the venture, "is a
Colonel Atherton, an old comrade of Captain Forrester, who has
undertaken to try and find the boy and provide for him."

Jeffreys started, and replied--

"No; I will do anything to help by myself, but I do not wish to meet
him."

"You know him, then?"

"No, I have never seen him."

"He would, I can promise, respect your confidence, Mr Jeffreys."

"I know, but I cannot meet him or any one. I will do anything he wants
about searching for Forrester--he cannot be more anxious about it than I
am--but I have every reason for wishing to remain unknown."

"You forget that it is hardly possible he can fail to know your name;
and he has friends, some of whom I believe are deeply interested in your
welfare."

Jeffreys shuddered.

"I can't say more," said he. "I will do all I can, but I want to see
nobody but you."

"I may, of course, report this interview to my client?"

"Of course