But you call him a cadet; now he says, avers, and upholds that he was a captain, or held a troop in your regiment.' 'He was promoted since I gave up the command.' 'But you must have heard of it ?' 'No.

I returned on account of family circumstances from India, and have not since been solicitous to hear particular news from the regiment; the name of Brown, too, is so common that I might have seen his promotion in the "Gazette" without noticing it.

But a day or two will bring letters from his commanding officer.' 'But I am told and informed, Mr.Pleydell,' answered Sir Robert, still hesitating, 'that he does not mean to abide by this name of Brown, but is to set up a claim to the estate of Ellangowan, under the name of Bertram.' 'Ay, who says that ?' said the Counsellor.
'Or,' demanded the soldier, 'whoever says so, does that give a right to keep him in prison ?' 'Hush, Colonel,' said the Lawyer; 'I am sure you would not, any more than I, countenance him if he prove an impostor.

And, among friends, who informed you of this, Sir Robert ?' 'Why, a person, Mr.Pleydell,' answered the Baronet, 'who is peculiarly interested in investigating, sifting, and clearing out this business to the bottom; you will excuse my being more particular.' 'O, certainly,' replied Pleydell; 'well, and he says-- ?' 'He says that it is whispered about among tinkers, gipsies, and other idle persons that there is such a plan as I mentioned to you, and that this young man, who is a bastard or natural son of the late Ellangowan, is pitched upon as the impostor from his strong family likeness.' 'And was there such a natural son, Sir Robert ?' demanded the Counsellor.
'O, certainly, to my own positive knowledge.

Ellangowan had him placed as cabin-boy or powder-monkey on board an armed sloop or yacht belonging to the revenue, through the interest of the late Commissioner Bertram, a kinsman of his own.' 'Well, Sir Robert,' said the Lawyer, taking the word out of the mouth of the impatient soldier, 'you have told me news.