"You may tell the steward to bring some ginger ale," said the major. Ben promptly complied with the major's request. He felt glad to do something to earn the liberal salary which he was receiving. It was not exactly acting as a private secretary; but, at any rate, he was able to be of service, and this pleased him. He had no complaint to make of Major Grafton. The latter saw that he wanted for nothing, and had he been the major's son he would have fared no better. Yet he did not form any attachment for his employer, as might have been thought natural. He blamed himself for this, when he considered the advantages of his position; but it was not so strange or culpable as Ben supposed. The boy saw clearly that, whatever might have been Major Grafton's motives in taking him into his service, it was not any special interest or attachment. The reader understands that Grafton had a purpose to serve, and that a selfish one. For Ben he cared nothing, but his own interest required that he should have a boy with him as a substitute for the one whose death he wished to conceal, and our hero filled the bill as well as any he could secure. One day, while Major Grafton was in his state-room, enduring as well as he could the pangs of sea-sickness, a gentleman on deck accosted Ben: "You seem to enjoy the voyage, young man," he said. "Yes, sir; very much." "You are not alone?" "No; I am travelling with Major Grafton." "Indeed!" said the gentleman, in surprise. "I didn't know the major was on board. Where does he keep himself?" "He seldom leaves his state-room. He has been sick ever since he started." "I remember meeting the major last summer in Switzerland. You were sick at the time, but from your present appearance I judge that you got bravely over it." "I think you are mistaken, sir. I was not with Major Grafton at that time." "You were not! That is strange. Surely there was a boy with him; I remember he called him Philip." "He calls me so, but that is not my name." "Do you mean to say that you were not with the major at that time?" "I did not know there was such a man at that time." "Humph! I don't understand it," said James Bolton (this was the traveller's name). "I do remember, however, hearing that the boy, then called Philip, died at Florence." "I think that settles it," said Ben. "Whoever the poor fellow may have been that died, I am sure that it was not I." "Are you Major Grafton's adopted son, or ward?" "No, sir; I am his private secretary. That is, I was hired in that capacity, though as yet I have not had much writing to do." "You are lucky. Take care you don't die, like the other boy." "I will try to live, I assure you, sir."