He had been attending the grammar school on the outskirts of the town, in a desultory fashion, staying away when it pleased him, throwing his soul into the work for a day or two, and thinking of nothing else, and then disappearing for the whole day for about a week, dashing home, tired and hungry and dusty at the end of each day, and refusing any account of his movements. Once or twice, when Comethup had been away with the captain, he had heard on his return that his cousin had called; but when he went himself to his uncle's house, to express his contrition, Mr. Robert Carlaw airily informed him that he hadn't the remotest notion where Brian was, or what he was doing. "Takes after his father, the young rip. I was just the same when I was a boy; began to go to the devil before I was breeched. It's in the blood, and, damme, I'm the last man to try and stop him, the rascal!" Comethup usually came away feeling desperately sorry for his cousin, and trembling considerably at the thought of the path that unfortunate youngster was treading, yet having, nevertheless, a sneaking admiration both for him and his ways. It happened, on the morning in question, that Comethup had arranged to meet the captain; they would, in all probability, find 'Linda at the old shoemaker's, and after that there was the glorious prospect of some hours on the marshes in the captain's delightful company, with deeds of daring to be recited and romantic possibilities to be discussed. It had been firmly agreed upon between the captain and Comethup as to what their duties were to be in a moment of emergency, should the old town, for instance, be attacked by an alien foe, and 'Linda carried off by the besiegers. Comethup almost wished, with a beating heart, that it might happen, because, according to the captain's account--and the captain was very serious when he mentioned it--it would mean midnight rides, and shootings, and maimings, and slaughterings to an absolutely delightful extent. But this morning disappointment was in store for them. 'Linda was not to be discovered at the shoemaker's, and the old man, being in a bad humour, growlingly stated that he knew nothing about her, not even pausing in his hammering to make the remark. Comethup and the captain turned away sorrowfully. Former experience had taught them that it would be useless to apply at her father's house; but they walked past it, and Comethup even ran a little way into the garden, and softly called her name. But there was no response, and, after waiting a few moments, they were compelled to set out on their expedition without her.