After much forethought and self-denial, Dick had saved seven shillings and sixpence, the price of a badly constructed Belgian revolver.

Maisie could only contribute half a crown to the syndicate for the purchase of a hundred cartridges.

'You can save better than I can, Dick,' she explained; 'I like nice things to eat, and it doesn't matter to you.

Besides, boys ought to do these things.' Dick grumbled a little at the arrangement, but went out and made the purchase, which the children were then on their way to test.

Revolvers did not lie in the scheme of their daily life as decreed for them by the guardian who was incorrectly supposed to stand in the place of a mother to these two orphans.