As you know, there was every reason to believe that Geoffrey intended all his property at Silverdale for you." "I have much less right to it than his son, and the colonial cure is not infrequently efficacious," said Miss Barrington.

"Lance may, after all, quiet down, and he must have some good qualities." The Colonel's smile was very grim.

"It is fifteen years since I saw him at Westham, and they were not much in evidence then.

I can remember two little episodes, in which he figured, with painful distinctness, and one was the hanging of a terrier which had in some way displeased him.

The beast was past assistance when I arrived on the scene, but the devilish pleasure in the lad's face sent a chill through me.