that time. I am nineteen now, and I know that
I was born a few weeks after he came out to Alexandria."

"Then there ought to be something good in store for you," Colonel
Wingate said. "People don't offer a reward of five hundred pounds,
unless something important hangs to it. Of course, there may be another
of the same name, but it is hardly likely that anyone would bear the
two same Christian names, as well as surname. Is it indiscreet to ask
you if you know anything about your father's family?"

"Not at all, sir. Now that I have taken his name, I need have no
hesitation in relating what I know of him. Previous to his leaving
England, he married without his father's consent; and, failing to make
a living in England, he accepted a situation in Alexandria; which he
gained, I may say, because he was an excellent Arabic scholar, as he
had spent two years in exploring tombs and monuments in Egypt. He was
the second son of the Honourable James Hartley; who was brother, and I
believe heir, of the Marquis of Langdale, and I should think by this
time has succeeded to the title. At his death, my father's eldest
brother would, of course, succeed him."

"Then, my dear fellow," Colonel Mahon said, giving him a hearty slap on
the shoulder, "allow me to congratulate you. I can tell you that the
title has been in abeyance, for the past fourteen years. Everyone knows
the facts. Your grandfather died before the Marquis. Your uncle
succeeded him, lived only three years and, being unmarried, your father
became the next Earl; and has been advertised for, in vain, ever since.
As, unhappily, your father is dead also, you are unquestionably the
Marquis of Langdale."

Gregory looked round with a bewildered air. The news was so absolutely
unexpected that he could hardly take it in.

"It seems impossible," he said at last.

"It is not only impossible, but a fact," the Colonel said. "There is
nothing very surprising in it. There were only two lives between your
father and the peerage; and as one was that of an old man, the second
of a man certainly in the prime of life, but unmarried, why, the Jews
would have lent money on the chance.

"I fancy your uncle was a somewhat extravagant man. I remember he kept
a lot of race horses and so on, but he could not have dipped very
seriously into the property. At any rate, there will be fourteen years'
accumulations, which will put matters straight.

"I hope you have got papers that will prove you