then he smiled faintly and said, "Good old George, is it you?"

"He thinks he knows you," said Teddy in a hurried whisper.

But Dick had been studying the face on the ground and recalling Paddy's
description. And with a half-frightened cry he guessed the truth, and
said "Uncle! It is Uncle Richard come back!"

"Are you little Dick?" asked the voice feebly. "I was coming to look
for you, but I couldn't get any further. I should have died if the
little dog hadn't found me. I heard him bark in my sleep and he saved
me. But for that I might have died, unknown to anybody."

And Pat, knowing very well that he had done a good deed, barked again
in a perfect chorus of joy.

"Let's take him home," said Teddy eagerly, not to be outdone in
goodwill. "He used to play with me and I can remember him now."

But the stranger had sunk back exhausted again and Dick said quickly,
"Run back, Teddy, and tell your father, and see if you can find Paddy,
and ask them to get a cart or something to carry him home, or, if you
will stay here, I will go."

But Teddy preferred action, and went off like an arrow, while Dick
raised his uncle's head and made him as comfortable as he could during
the waiting time.

Help was soon forthcoming, and in a very short time the wanderer was
lying in a comfortable bed at Mr. Dainton's house and fed and tended
with affectionate care.

Presently he revived a little and tried to talk. "I've come back
poorer than I went, though I did find a streak of gold. But I fell ill
and the thieves stole all I had. I just managed to get down to a ship
and I worked my passage home, though I felt I was only coming back to
die. But I did want to get to the old place again and to see George's
boy. He's the very image of what I used to be, and like his father
too, only a taller build, I fancy."

"And as good as he is high," said Mrs. Dainton with a smile at her
favourite.

But Dick could not laugh just then, his throat had such a lump in it.

The dream he had cherished so long of finding a "very own relation" had
come true, but with such pain and disappointment if his uncle had only
come back to die! But Mrs. Dainton's faith refused to listen to
thoughts of dying, and her husband seconded all her efforts in the sick
room.

And Paddy made a splendid nurse and cheerfully sat up at night in turn,
and, as the patient began to mend, his bright talk and Irish yarns made
him laugh and forget all the hardship a