"No, no," said Alwyn, almost laughing at the coolness with which this fragile, helpless brother proposed to face the difficulty for him. "You were always a plucky fellow, but when the time comes I'll make my own confession. I'll go now." But he still lingered. "Ought you to be alone?" he said. "Do you want anything? You will not be the worse for the fright I gave you?" "No. I'm quite jolly. If you'll just put this cushion lower for me, that's all, so that I can lie down." "I am too rough to touch you. There--is that right, dear boy?" said Alwyn, anxiously. "Oh yes, you are very clever!" said Edgar. He spoke lightly; but suddenly tears filled the keen eyes at the touch that was more tender than all the skilled attention at his command. "I'm glad you're found, Val; it's been rather lonely," he said. "If I had guessed!" said Alwyn hoarsely; but at this moment a tremendous rush was heard, and Wyn's voice in loud tones of dismay broke in on them. "What are you about--you? Here I am, Mr Edgar. Father ain't far off." Alwyn, who had been bending over his brother, started up, and Edgar began to laugh. "All right, Wyn," he said, "stop that row. This gentleman isn't smothering me, nor stealing my watch; look at him--you'll see him again. You'd better ask his pardon for losing his letter." Wyn's mouth and eyes opened wider and wider. "Please, sir," he stammered, "he ain't the one that gave me the letter; and please, sir, I've lighted on the envelope, and someone has took the letter out." Alwyn and Edgar looked at each other in dismay. "There is my address," said Alwyn, after a moment; "if anything unexpected turns up, send a telegram to me. But I shall be here to-morrow, and then you shall know all. Here, boy, Mr Edgar will tell you what you're to do. Be sure you are very careful of him. Can you lead the pony safely?" Edgar laughed again at Wyn's indignant stare, first at the speaker, and then at the half-sovereign dropped into his palm. "All right, Wyn," he said, "he has every right to order you; yes, and give you a tip too. Put it in your pocket, and come along." Wyn unfastened Dobbles, and turned him round, a light slowly breaking in on him as his master put both hands into the stranger's, and a few rapid whispers were exchanged between them. Then Edgar made a sign to him to go on, and Wyn, with one shrewd glance at the face and figure of the object of his suspicions, drew a long breath and said: "Sir--sir--that's Mr Alwyn!" CHAPTER TWELVE. AUNT STROUD'S SURPRISE.