On the afternoon of the same day Wenaston and his sister were at tea in the verandah when a carriage drove up and stopped just beyond the portico. Out of it stepped Sooba, Pantulu's brother. He was unknown to the Principal, who took him for the parent of one of his pupils. Wenaston rose at once, always courteous, although at times a little stiff until he was certain that no favours were going to be asked. Too often the visiting parent, after beating about the bush, would beg the Principal to promote his son in the school without due justification. Sometimes a bribe was offered. It required a great deal of patience and self-control to deal with such people; and it was still more difficult to persuade them that promotion by favour did not advance the education of a boy but rather hindered it. "You want to see me on business?" asked Wenaston, advancing to meet his visitor. "Come in; I am disengaged for ten minutes, which is all I can give you. At the end of that time I have an appointment in the college." "I have called to ask you a favour, sir," said Sooba, in his best manner. "You are the parent of one of my pupils?" "I am sorry to have to admit the fact that I have no son. It is about my nephew, Pantulu Iyer's son, Ananda, that I have come. You engaged him as a master a short time ago. He stayed only one day." "Ah! now I understand. I can't take him on the staff again, if that is what you have come to ask." "You are right, sir; it would be a mistake. He is unpopular in the town." "We have no time to lose," said Dr. Wenaston, looking at his watch. "Will you explain what you want me to do?" They were standing in the verandah facing each other. Sooba shuffled his feet slightly. The action said much to the Englishman and put him on his guard. "Last night Ananda left his father's house and we don't know where he is." "Is there any reason why he should not leave Chirapore if he wishes to do so?" "It would be without his father's consent," said Sooba, boldly making use of his brother's name. Wenaston was slightly puzzled. Ananda's movements were not his affair. "What do you want me to do?" he again asked, with a touch of impatience this time. "I thought that perhaps you might give us some assistance in our search." The Englishman regarded him with surprise as he answered in quick decisive tones. "I am afraid I cannot do anything of the kind. I am too busy to spare the time. Besides, Ananda's movements really do not concern me or the college." "It was not my intention to ask you to leave your duties, sir." "Then how can I help in the search for the lost man? He has probably left the town, where as you yourself say he is unpopular. Under the circumstances it is the best thing that he can do. Have you inquired at the station if he were among the passengers who were travelling by the mails last night?" "He can't have taken either of the trains, north or south, as he was seen in his room after their departure."