CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
HOW JIM'S UNCLE AND AUNT SPENT A DIFFERENT SORT OF DAY FROM THAT WHICH THEY HAD EXPECTED.
The apparition was indeed none other than Jim Halliday's dreaded uncle and aunt, and the object of their visit was easy to guess.

They had, in fact, taken the long journey from Cornwall as fast as express trains could bring them, in order to remonstrate personally with their depraved nephew on the error of his ways.
They were evidently as astonished to find Jim's room full of visitors, as Jim on his part was to see them, and they looked so taken aback and disconcerted that the party at once rose, and offered to take their leave.

Clarke and his friend actually did depart, but Jim still had presence of mind enough left to groan out an entreaty to Charlie and my master that they would remain--an appeal so pathetic that there was no resisting it.
Charlie politely handed the good people to chairs, while Jim, under cover of preparing a second edition of breakfast, hastily arranged his plan of defence.
"Reader," he whispered to my master, "whatever you do, keep the talk going, old man, or it's all U P." Then turning to his relatives, he broke out,-- "This _is_ a surprise! How are you both?
Upon my word, you're looking grandly.

How kind to come and see me up here! Will you allow me to introduce my two friends, Ensign Newcome and Mr Reader?
My uncle and aunt, gentlemen." The uncle and aunt bowed gravely, and in a frightened sort of way, in acknowledgment of the courteous greeting of the two young men.

It was clear they had expected to find Jim alone, and over a quiet cup of cocoa to reduce him to a sense of his wickedness.