You are not strong, your future is all in Maxfield; the happiness of your mother, your hopes of winning the object of your affections, are involved in the step you take.

Even if this brother of yours be living (of which the chances seem to be a hundred to one he is not), he is, as your father says, a man who has gone to the bad; not the boy of the picture, but a man twice your age, of the Ratman order, let us say, probably the worst possible companion for yourself, and a bad friend to the people who already count you as their master.

Had he been living with any desire or intention of claiming his title, he would certainly have come forward months ago--" "I know all that, Armstrong," said the boy; "I know perfectly well you are bringing up all these points as a friend, to prevent my taking a rash step of which I shall afterwards be sorry.

I don't care how bad he is, or what it costs, I mean to find him; and if you help me, I'm confident I shall.

Only," said he regretfully, "I certainly wish it was the boy in the picture, and not a middle-aged person, who is to be looked for." Here Tom broke in upon the conference.
"Hullo, Roger, here you are! What are you up to?
You and Armstrong look as blue as if you'd swallowed live eels.