we shall become well-tried friends."

"But I don't know you yet, sir. You have not told me your name."

The visitor clapped Fred on the shoulder again, and there was a merry,
kindly light in his eyes as he cried--

"Come, I like this, Forrester. Your Coombeland boys are the genuine,
frank English stuff. Fred, my lad, I like your out-spoken ways. From
some lads it would have been insolence, but from you it seems sturdy,
honest independence. You may know me for the present, my boy, as
Captain Miles."

"Miles, a soldier," said Fred to himself but the visitor heard him.

"Right," he cried. "Miles, a soldier. Mistress Forrester, I
congratulate you on your home and surroundings. And now, pardon my
frankness, I have travelled far to-day and I journey far to-morrow, I am
a-hungered and a-thirst, madam; and afterwards, as your good husband and
tried soldier and I have done our business, I shall be glad to press a
pleasant west-country bed."

With winning courtesy, but at the same time with a half-shrinking,
troubled look in her eyes, Mistress Forrester led the way to the table,
and as soon as he was seated the guest seemed to cast off his imperious
military manner, and become the courtly scholarly gentleman who had read
much, travelled far, and thought deeply. So pleasant and interesting
was his conversation that Fred grew more and more attracted by him, and
listened with wide-open eyes to all he said.

Only once did the business-like, firm and decisive officer appear after
supper, when he suddenly apologised and rose.

"I have an old-fashioned way of looking after my best friends, Mistress
Forrester," he said. "At the present moment, on this journey, my horse
is one of my best friends. You will excuse my visiting him?"

"If you will trust me, Captain Miles," said Colonel Forrester, placing
some emphasis on the name, "I can promise you that your good horse has
everything that will help him to make a long journey to-morrow."

"I do trust you, Forrester," said the visitor, smiling. "I would I had
ten men like you, and as worthy of trust."

As he spoke, he subsided into his chair, but Fred was already on his
legs.

"I'll go and see after the horse," he said.

The visitor gave him a kindly approving nod, and the boy left the room.

"How old is he, Mistress Forrester?" he said.

"Sixteen," replied the hostess, sadly.

"Just on the dawn of manhood, madam. Hah, Forrester, old friend, it is
a grand thing