"I am trying to obtain some knowledge of French. I suppose you have no objection?" "Not the least in the world. Do you want a teacher?" "No, sir; I think I can get along by myself." Major Grafton was rather glad that Ben had found some way of passing his time. He did not want the boy to become homesick, for his presence was important to him for reasons that we are acquainted with. Ben supplemented his lessons by going into shops, pricing articles, and attempting to hold a conversation with the clerks. This was a practical way of learning the language, which he found of great use. Again they found themselves in Geneva, which Ben thought, on the whole, a pleasant place of residence. Here, too, he could make abundant use of his new acquisition, and did not fail to avail himself of his opportunity. So he enjoyed his stay in the charming Swiss city until one day he made an astounding discovery. The most interesting walk in Geneva is along the borders of the lake. Near it are placed seats on which the visitor may sit and survey the unequalled view. Ben had seated himself one day, with a French book in his hand, which he was studying, when he observed a couple of ladies seat themselves near him. He would have given them no further thought if by chance the name of Major Grafton, spoken by one of them, had not reached his ears. "I see that Major Grafton is here," said one. "You know we met him at Florence." "Yes, the one who had the sick boy with him." "The same." "It was his son, was it not?" "I thought so at the time, but I have since learned that I was mistaken. He was the boy's guardian." "The boy died, did he not?" "Yes, and it must have been a serious calamity to him." "You mean that he was very much attached to the boy?" "No, I don't mean that. On the contrary, he appeared to care very little for him. It was the pecuniary loss I was thinking of." "Explain yourself." "You must know, then, that the boy was heir to a large fortune, the income of which, during his minority, was payable to Major Grafton for his benefit. No doubt the guardian made a good thing out of it. He probably made it pay both the boy's expenses and his own." "Then, on the boy's death, he would lose this income?" "Precisely." "It is strange," said the younger lady; "but he still has a boy with him." "He has?" inquired the other, in surprise. "The name he calls him is Philip." "That was the name of the boy who died." "Are you sure that he died? Are you sure that this is not the same boy?" "Positive." "It is very singular. A strange idea has occurred to me." "What is it?" "What if he is passing off this boy for the first, in order to retain the liberal income which he received as guardian?" "But that would be fraudulent." "That is true; but I think Major Grafton would be capable of it. I hear from my brother that he gambles, and a gambler is not apt to be overburdened with principle."