As the gentleman came back he shot a piercing glance at the two figures in the dusk, and, pointing especially at Dick, he said something in a voice so low that Dick only caught the last words--"The audacity!" The boy resented it, and Giles's master seemed to disagree with the sentiment also, for he put his arm round the boy's shoulder, with a slight laugh, and, stooping, kissed him lightly on the brow. "No audacity!" he said. "Are you jealous, my lord? Dick once told me he loved Giles with all his heart because there was no one else to love--no father and no mother. And his brother, whilst he lived, I suppose, had never even looked at him. Yet Dick knows how to love, and should not lack a return of it. No doubt, my lord, you have heard something of the tale he's been telling me. Perchance you found it somewhat interesting?" The gentleman in white bowed. "As to that which we took care you should not hear," proceeded Giles's master, "suffice it, for the completion of the story, that the Lady Dorothy Byng once had a fancy for my friend, Dick's brother. And, we might add--might we not, Dick?--that she cherishes his memory still--more or less." Dick said gravely: "She loves him still." "Therefore Dick is bound to help her now. And I have bound myself to help Dick. And I must beg you, my lord, to see Giles helps us all. We'll place the matter, Dick, in the hands of Giles--a delicate revenge for her scorn of him, eh? He shall order all he needs, and take this traitor, John Dent, if he can catch him, send him hither for trial, and have done with him. He shall scatter John Dent's friends, if he hath any, to the winds. He shall take you home to the Lady Dorothy Byng, with my greetings. And our dear, good Giles shall ask her if she cannot--it will be hard if she cannot--find some other companion and give you to me. There! Have we marked the part of each player and disposed of the villain of the piece?" The gentleman in white bowed, whilst Dick enthusiastically thanked his friend. Giles's master made as if to rise, so Dick stood up. "Where shall I find dear Giles?" he asked excitedly. "Dear Giles, eh? Oh, he will be with you as soon as I am gone!" He held Dick's hand a moment, looking down at him half with amusement half with tenderness, glanced up at the other gentleman, and moved towards the door. There, stopping suddenly, he looked back. "I have recalled one person for whom no part is assigned," he said. "The parson, Dick; be sure he is treated well, sir. I could wish Giles would find some use for him. Maybe he will." The gentleman in white drew back the curtain and opened the door. "Sir!" cried Dick, springing after him, "one moment! Will you tell me your name?" "Charles," said Giles's master. "Charles?" Dick repeated. "Charles what?" "Stuart," the gentleman answered. And the door shut. CHAPTER XX GILES