equipped himself for departure.

"Bah! I have a splitting headache," said William. "Let us get home."

Quarrier was still on the platform, but at this moment he caught
Glazzard's eye, and came hastening down. His friend stepped forward to
meet him.

"Well, how did it go?" Denzil asked, gaily.

"You have great aptitude for that kind of thing."

"So it strikes me.--Will you engage yourself to dine with me the day
after to-morrow?"

"Willingly."

"I have an idea. You remember the Coach and Horses--over at Rickstead?"

It was a fine old country inn, associated in their memories of boyhood
with hare-and-hounds and other sportive excursions. Glazzard nodded.

"Let us have a quiet dinner there; six-thirty can drive us back."

Glazzard rejoined his relatives. Denzil, turning came face to face with
Mr. Samuel Quarrier.

"So you took the trouble to come and hear me?"

"To be sure," replied the old man, in a gruff but good-natured voice.
"Is it true what they are saying? Is it to be you instead of Toby?"

"I believe so."

"I shall do my best to get you a licking. All in good part, you know."

"Perfectly natural, But I shall win!"

CHAPTER VIII

"Do you know of any good house to let in or near the town?" inquired
Denzil of his sister the next morning, as they chatted after Toby's
departure to business.

"A house! What do you want with one?"

"Oh, I must have a local habitation--the more solid the better."

Mrs. Liversedge examined him.

"What is going on, Denzil?"

"My candidature--that's all. Any houses advertised in this rag?" He
took up yesterday's _Examiner_, and began to search the pages.

"You can live very well with us."

Denzil did not reply, and his sister, summoned by a servant, left him.
There was indeed an advertisement such as he sought. An old and
pleasant family residence, situated on the outskirts of Polterham (he
remembered it very well), would be vacant at Christmas. Application
could be made on the premises. Still in a state of very high pressure,
unable to keep still or engage in any quiet pursuit, he set off the
instant to view this house. It stood in a high-walled garden, which was
entered through heavy iron-barred gates, one of them now open. The
place had rather a forlorn look, due in part to the decay of the
foliage which in summer shaded the lawn; blinds were drawn on all the
front windows; the porch needed repair. He rang at the door, and was
quickly answered by a d