"Doubtless. And the time may come when she will put in her claim, if she is alive." "That's what I was thinking. And the father of the boys?" "The man he killed--unintentionally, no doubt, still after threats--had powerful friends. They would have exacted every penalty the law permitted. Denzil no doubt considered he could enjoy life better in other ways. If he is alive he is abroad. He has never shown face here since." "A complicated matter," said Eager thoughtfully, "and likely to become more so. Where would the old man's death land things?" "God knows. I've puzzled over it many a day and night." "And meanwhile Sir Denzil allows the youngsters to run to seed?" "Exactly. He takes absolutely no interest in them. If one of them died it would be all right for the other. He would be Carron of Carne in due course and no questions asked. But the complication of the two has made him look askance at both." "And the old woman--Mrs. Lee?" "She lives on at Carne, biding her time. I have no doubt she knows which is her grandson, but she won't speak till the time comes." "And how does Sir Denzil treat her?" "They say he has never spoken to her for the last ten years--never a word since that day she and her daughter brought the two children in to him and started the game. She tends the house and does the cooking, and so on. Sir Denzil lives in his own rooms, and his man Kennet looks after him. It's a very long time since I saw him. We never got on well together. He killed that poor girl, dragging her here as he did, and I told him so. And he chose to say that I ought to have been able to recognise t'other baby from which. Much he knows about it," snorted the doctor. "And what does he do with himself? Is he a student?" "Drinks, I imagine. I meet his man about now and again, and if it's like master like man there's not much doubt about it." "Poor little fellows! I must get hold of them, doctor. I must have them. Now, how shall I set about it?" "Better call on the old man and see what he says. His soul's in your charge, you know. I have my own opinion as to its probable ultimate destination, in spite of you. It'll be an experience, anyway." "For me or for him?" "Well, I was thinking of you at the moment." "And not an over-pleasant one, you suggest? "Oh, he's a gentleman, is the old man, if he is an old heathen. Gad! I'd like to go along with you, only it would upset your apple-cart and set you in the ditch." "I'll see him in the morning," said Eager. CHAPTER VIII SIR DENZIL'S VIEWS The struggle between the boys, which began before Mr. Eager was well out of sight, resulted in a bump on Jim's forehead similar to the one which already decorated Jack's, in a few additional scratches and bruises to both brown little bodies, and in Jim's temporary possession of the rabbit.