Fred Sutherland (to give him his right name) then explained his strange conduct. He had been obliged to leave his regiment, and had, as they knew, gone to the Cape. Here he fell in with an old school-fellow who was going to the diamond fields. They joined forces, bought a claim for a mere song, and set to work. To the surprise of the whole camp they were successful. In the claim, which had been abandoned months before as "no go," they came upon one of the largest stones that had ever been turned up in South Africa. Fred Sutherland turned his share into cash directly and started for home. "I'm quite a millionaire, I assure you," cried the footman, slapping his plush breeches. It looked so impudent and familiar of him to be sitting among us dressed like that, that his aunt could not bear it. "Do go and take off those dreadful clothes," she said; "I can't think what made you do such a thing." "I haven't done it in vain; I've learned what I wanted to know," he said, with a light laugh and a look at Mysie and Colonel Witherington. A wave of depression came over me. Of course he was in love with his cousin and came to see how the land lay. Poor fellow! Still, he seemed to bear up. He turned towards me as if expecting an introduction. He did not show the slightest sign of ever having met me before. I never was so puzzled in my life. What ought I to do? "This is my school-fellow--Miss Cornwall--but she will prefer to make your acquaintance in other attire; won't you, Lofty?" "I have done so before," said I, summoning up courage and holding out my hand. "We travelled together from Euston." Everything was so astonishing that nobody seemed surprised. I was pleased to see the expression which beamed on the footman's face, and to feel the cordial grip as we shook hands. "Now," said Colonel Witherington, "you had better come home with me. Nobody need know anything about it. You must manage your father with regard to Fred," he whispered to Mysie, "and I will call early again to-morrow." And so ended my little adventure--or rather it did not end here, for Fred came back with me when I returned to London. And--well, my travelling companion has promised never to leave my side. [Illustration: "FRED SUTHERLAND THEN EXPLAINED HIS STRANGE CONDUCT."] [Illustration: VIEW OF THE "COUNTRY" THROUGH WHICH THE RAILWAY RUNS.] A £10,000 TOY. COMPLETE WORKING RAILWAY IN A ROOM. BY ROBERT MACHRAY. The seven beautiful illustrations which appear in this article are taken from photographs of what is without doubt one of the mechanical marvels of the day. They clearly set forth the most complete, and, at the same time, the most costly miniature model railway system in the world.