ony was more wise, or Geoff stronger, for there
was no question now of being thrown. When he came in sight of the little
gate of the Warren, he saw some one standing there, at sight of whom
he quickened his pace. He knew the general aspect of the man's figure
though he could not see his face, and this welcome new excitement made
the heart jump up again in Geoff's breast. He hurried along in a sudden
cloud of dust, and threw himself off the pony like a little acrobat.
"Mr. Cavendish!" cried Geoff, "have you come back?" with a glow of
pleasure which drove all his troubles away.

It was Dick, very brown, very thin, a little wild in his aspect and
dress. "Hallo, Geoff!" he replied. "Yes, I have come back. Didn't they
expect me to come back?"

"Oh, I don't know. I think they wondered."

"That's how it is in this world," said the other; "nobody trusts you: as
soon as you are out of sight--oh, I don't say you're out of mind--but
nobody trusts you. They think that perhaps, after all, you were a
villain all the time."

To this, naturally, Geoff had no reply to make, but he said, "Are you
going in that way, Mr. Cavendish?" Upon which Dick burst into a loud
laugh, which Geoff knew meant anything but laughing.

"What do you think, Geoff?" he said. "My wife's inside, and they've
locked me out here. That's a joke, isn't it?"

"I don't think it's any joke. And Chatty wants you so. Come round to the
other door."

"Are you sure of that?" said Dick. "Here's that fellow been here,--that
Thynne fellow,--and tells me----" Then he paused and looked at the boy,
with another laugh. "You're a queer confidant for a poor vagabond,
little Geoff."

"Is it because I'm little?" cried Geoff. "But though I am little there
are a heap of things I know. I know they are all against you except
Chatty. Come along and see Chatty. I want to go to her this moment and
tell her----"

"I thought," said Cavendish, "I'd wait for her here. I don't want to
make a mummy of that fellow, my brother-in-law, don't you know, the
first moment. Tell Chatty--tell my wife, Geoff--that I am waiting for
her here."

Geoff did not wait for another word, but clambered on to his pony again
and was off like the wind, round by the village to the other gate.
Meantime Dick stood and leaned upon the wooden paling. His face was
sharp and thin with illness, with eagerness and suspense, his complexion
browned and paled out of its healthful English tints. But this was not
becaus