"I'll tell you what," said the baronet; "Pouncet's a deal too well up in his defence. I never like a man who knows just exactly what to say for himself when he's accused of a sudden--ten chances to one, look you, Roger, that he's guilty; for if he's guilty, of course he knew every word you were going to say--whereas if he's innocent, he's taken by surprise and shows it. That's my opinion; and, by Jove, if the rascal took in Musgrave, I'll bet you something he's taken in me as well. But you may rely upon it I'll have the whole affair looked into now." "Eh?" said Colonel Sutherland, stooping over the chair into which Sir John had thrown himself, with his hand curved over his ear; "have the whole affair looked into now? Well, Armitage, if I have less concern in it one way than you, I have more another. There's still a week before my Ned comes home, I'll see what I can do with my own eyes and spectacles. I'm an old campaigner: twenty miles a day over a pleasant country is no extraordinary work for an old soldier like me." "And I, Colonel--what am I to say to you for such painstaking kindness?" said Roger, forgetting his amusement in hearty gratitude and admiration. "My dear boy, it's a great deal for your sake, but something for the sake of my sister's son," said the Colonel, with a smile and a sigh--"and only till my boy's holidays begin; but as for you, go on to whatever is the name of the place and see your mother, and the pretty sisters and the little boy, and if there's anything to be heard of Horace there, send me word; and don't forget if you do meet with him that he is, in spite of everything--" "Susan's brother!--there is not a chance that I shall forget," said Roger, brightly. Meanwhile Sir John, catching the sound of one word, which tickled the ear of his possessing demon, muttered to himself, "Pretty sisters!" Then added aloud, "Going to see your mother, Roger? Possibly she's got something further to tell us--I'll go too." CHAPTER XVII.