him to the door.

"In any case, sir," I said, "I am very much obliged to you for your
advice and for bringing me this letter."

"By-the-bye," the Duke said, pausing on the threshold, "I fear that we
may lose the help of Colonel Ray upon the Council. There are rumours of
serious trouble in the Soudan, and if these are in any way
substantiated, he will be certainly sent there. Good afternoon, Mr.
Ducaine."

"Good afternoon, your Grace."

So he left me, stiff, formal, having satisfied his conscience, though I
felt in my heart that his opinion of me, once formed, was not likely to
be changed. Directly I was alone I opened my uncle's letter.

"127, GROSVENOR SQUARE,

"LONDON, W.

"DEAR Guy,--

"It has been on my mind more than once during the last few years--ever
since, in fact, I heard of you at college--to write and inform myself as
to your prospects in life. You are the son of my only sister, although
I regret to say that you are the son also of a man who disgraced himself
and his profession. You have a claim upon me which you have made no
effort to press. Perhaps I do not think the worse of you for that. In
any case, I wish you to accept an allowance of which my lawyers will
advise you, and if you will call upon me when you are in town I shall be
glad to make your acquaintance. I may say that it was a pleasure to me
to learn that you have succeeded in obtaining a responsible and
honourable post.

"I am, yours sincerely,

"MICHAEL TROGOLDY."

I took pen and paper, and answered this letter at once.

"My DEAR SIR MICHAEL,--

"As I am your nephew, and I understand, almost your nearest relative, I
see no reason why I should not accept the allowance which you are good
enough to offer me. I shall also be glad to come and see you next time
I am in London, if it is your wish.

"Yours sincerely,

"GUY DUCAINE."

Grooton brought in my tea, also a London morning paper which he had
secured in the village.

"I thought that you might be interested in the news about the Duke,
sir," he said respectfully.

"What news, Grooton?" I asked, stretching out my hand for the paper.

"You will find a leading article on the second page, sir, and another in
the money news. It reads quite extraordinary, sir."

I opened the paper eagerly. I read every word of the leading article,
which was entitled "Noblesse Oblige," and all the paragraphs in the
money column. What I read did not surprise me in the least when once I
had re