For, bearing in mind the evident habits and last night's occupation of Silchester and de Cartienne, I had begun to wonder somewhat apprehensively what manner of man the master of such pupils might be. Now I felt sure that the idea which had first occurred to me had been the correct one, and that the doings of the night before were carried on altogether under the rose. The man James had all the appearance of a servant whom it would be easy to bribe. This without doubt had been done. "Perhaps they haven't lived all their lives in the country, sir, as I have," I answered. "I have always been used to getting up early." "So you are my new pupil?" he said. "Well, Mr. Morton, I'm very pleased to see you, and I have an idea that we shall get on very well together. I was going to walk down to the sea. Will you come with me?" I followed him along the tortuous path to the shore, and on the way he questioned me about my acquirements, putting me through a sort of _vivâ-voce_ examination, the result of which appeared to satisfy him. "This is quite a pleasant surprise to me," he said, as we turned back to the house. "You are almost as advanced as de Cartienne and far more so than Silchester. I suppose you mean to matriculate?" I told him that I thought so, but he scarcely seemed to hear. Apparently his mind had wandered to some other subject and for nearly a quarter of an hour he remained absorbed. I learned afterwards that this was a habit of his. With a start he came to himself, and, apologising for his absent-mindedness, led the way back to the house and into the breakfast-room. The cloth was laid for four and the urn was hissing upon the table; but there was no one else down. "Is neither Lord Silchester nor Mr. de Cartienne up yet, James?" inquired Dr. Randall. James believed not, but would ascertain. In a few moments he returned. "Lord Silchester desires me to say that he was reading late last night, sir, and has overslept himself; but he will be down as soon as possible," James announced solemnly. Remembering that James had been in attendance upon us in de Cartienne's rooms last night, I thought that this was rather cool. But it was no concern of mine and I held my peace. Dr. Randall frowned slightly and looked vexed. "It appears to me that Silchester does most of his reading at night," he remarked. "I could wish that the results of it were a little more apparent. And Mr. de Cartienne, James? Has he overslept himself, too?" "Mr. de Cartienne will be here immediately, sir," the man announced. We began breakfast. When we were about half-way through the meal, the door opened and de Cartienne appeared. He cast an apprehensive glance at me, and then, seeing that Dr. Randall greeted him as usual, looked relieved. Presently the doctor left the table, bidding us join him in the study in half an hour. Directly the door had closed de Cartienne leaned back in his chair and laughed softly to himself.