"Yes, Jerry," said Dick, dismally; "but I ran away like a coward, and that was like a tacit confession of guilt." "Like a what confession o' guilt?" "Silent." "No, sir: you said something else." "Tacit, man--tacit." "Oh, was it, sir. Well, if you say it was tacit, I 'spose it was. Never heered o' that sort o' confession before; it was always open confession. But, as I was a-saying, one day I thinks as I just said; next day it's all the other way. I don't want to put you out o' heart, sir; but, as you very well know, being quite a scholar, and having read o' these things lots o' times, there's an old saying about possession being nine points of the law. He's got possession tight, and, if you go and tell him he must give it up now, he'll say--" "Well, what, Jerry?" "Don't like to tell you, sir, for fear of giving offence." "Speak out, man; speak out, and don't say `sir' to me again while we are equals here in the army." "Ekals, sir? Bein' both in the ranks don't make us ekal." "But it must not be known at present, and if you keep calling me `sir' you may ruin my prospects." "All right, then; I won't say it--I'll think it, and that'll make it easier, because I can think the other the same time." "What other?" "The Richard. I shall allus say `S'Richard' to myself." "Very well, do. But, mind--I trust you." "And you may, sir. It seems to me--as I was going to say--if you won't be offended--" "Go on, man," cried Richard; "nothing will offend me now." "Oh! won't it? You're as big a honourable gent now as ever you was; but, if you was to go to your cousin, sir, he'd call you a impostor." "I'm afraid so, Jerry." "And, if you turn nasty with him, he'll tell you to go down in the country there, and look at your grave." Dick was silent. "But don't you be downhearted, sir. You shall have your rights. What d'ye say to sending a petition to the Queen? I'm told that she's a very nice old lady, when you know her." Dick laughed. "Why should she believe me?" "Because you're a gent, sir. Anybody could see that with half a heye. But, look here, sir, there--" "Will you leave off saying `sir'? I am Dick Smithson." "Oh, very well, Dick Smithson. There must be a way out of the wood. What do you say to me killing him--by accident?" "I say, talk sense, man!" "Right; I will. I wish I was in your regiment, though. One could see you oft'ner like, and settle things with you. I s'pose if I was to desert and 'list in yours, they'd make a row about it?" "No doubt about that, Jerry." "There wouldn't be no harm. I should only have changed from one regiment to another." "You know enough about a soldier's duties to the colours, man. But I wish you were in the 205th with all my heart." "And in your company? I could valet you just as I used to." "Nonsense! I'm not in any company; and for me to have a servant would be impossible as well as absurd."