“Oh, no, it isn't,” Ruthven said. “If you'd got into a scrape from some fault of your own one could understand it, although even then there would be no reason for you to cut your old friends till they cut you. Young Goodall, who lives over at Bayswater, has been over four or five times to ask me if I have succeeded in finding you, and I have had letters from Handcock, and Childers, and Jackson. Just as if a fellow had got nothing to do but to write letters. How long will you be before you can come out?” “There is Mr. Horton just come in,” Frank said. “I have no doubt he will let me go at once.” The old naturalist at once assented upon Frank's telling him that a friend had come who wished him to go out. “Certainly, my dear boy. Why, working the hours and hours of overtime that you do, of course you can take a holiday whenever you're disposed.” “He will not be back till late,” Ruthven said as they went out. “I shall keep him all the evening.” “Oh, indeed, Ruthven, I have no clothes!” “Clothes be bothered,” Ruthven said. “I certainly shall end by punching your head, Frank, before the day's out.” Frank remonstrated no more, but committed himself entirely to his friend's guidance. At the Mansion House they mounted on the roof of an omnibus going west, and at Knightsbridge got off and walked to Eaton Square, where Ruthven's father resided. The latter was out, so Frank accompanied his friend to what he called his sanctum, a small room littered up with books, bats, insect boxes, and a great variety of rubbish of all kinds. Here they chatted until the servant came up and said that Sir James had returned. “Come on, Frank,” Ruthven said, running downstairs. “There's nothing of the ogre about the governor.” They entered the study, and Ruthven introduced his friend. “I've caught him, father, at last. This is the culprit.” Sir James Ruthven was a pleasant looking man, with a kindly face. “Well, you troublesome boy,” he said, holding out his hand, “where have you been hiding all this time?” “I don't know that I've been hiding, sir,” Frank said. “Not exactly hiding,” Sir James smiled, “only keeping away from those who wanted to find you. Well, and how are you getting on?” “I am getting on very well, sir. I am earning eighteen shillings a week and my board and lodging, and my employer says he will take me into partnership as soon as I come of age.” “Ah, indeed!” Sir James said. “I am glad to hear that, as it shows you must be clever and industrious.” “Yes, father, and the place was full of the most lovely cases of things Frank had stuffed. There was quite a crowd looking in at the window.” “That is very satisfactory. Now, Frank, do you sit down and write a note to your employer, asking him to send down half a dozen of the best cases. I want to show them to a gentleman who will dine with me here today, and who is greatly interested in such matters. When you have written the note I will send a servant off at once in a cab to fetch them.”