"I think that would be the best settlement, sir. The better man should get the prizes, and there can be no question which is the better of us two." "Jim, my boy,"--and the long thin white hand came down gently on the boy's strong brown one, and rested on it impressively--"there are better things in this world even than brains. Clean hearts, clean consciences, clean lives----" "Jack has all those, sir." "And so have you, and they are worth more than all the brains in the world in some people's eyes. Did brains ever win a girl's heart?--or any one else's?" "I'm afraid I don't know much about them; sir," said a touch of the old Jim. "And as to the tangle," continued the old man, very well satisfied with his work, "it may be considerably more involved than you imagine. Supposing, for instance, that your father was actually married to the other girl before he married Lady Susan! Where do you find yourselves then? It is by no means impossible--such very strange things were done in those times. I could tell you of infinitely stranger things than that." "I have hardly thought of it in that light," said Jim. "Take my advice and think no more of your tangle. Just go ahead with the work you have in hand, and when your chance comes, as it will, make the most of it." "You have done me good, sir. May I ask you about another matter?" "Surely, my boy. Another tangle?" And Jim told him briefly about Kattie, and old Seth's visit and impossible quest. "He's a fine old fellow, and young Seth saved my life twice. I'd like to help him if I could, but I don't know what I can do. Besides, Kattie was a nice girl. She used to play with us all on the sands, you know." "You don't know, for certain, that she has come to London?" "Old Seth seems sure of it." "Who else was there when you all used to play together on the sands?" "Oh, Gracie, and Margaret and George Hempath, and Ralph Harben----" "Who is Ralph Harben?" "Son of Mr. Harben, Sir George's partner. They're the big army contractors, you know." "And where is he now?" "Up here in London. He's in the Dragoons--lieutenant. So is George." "Any one else?" "Mr. Eager and Sir George, and Bob Lethem, their groom. They all used to ride over, you see, and we needed all hands, so we used to press Bob into the service." "And you don't think there is any entanglement there?" "What--Kattie and Bob? No, I'm sure there isn't. You see, Kattie got rather large ideas, and she was certainly very pretty. She would never have looked at Bob, I'm certain." "I will see if I can learn anything. There are ways if you know how to use them." "Thank you, sir. I thought if any one could help us it would be you." "How are you mounted? You ought to have a second horse if you're going out. They will allow you two, I suppose." "I believe so. I was thinking of buying one out of that money you gave me."