'It is a great responsibility to fall upon young shoulders,' he said to himself, 'and I fear the instructions won't help him much--a mysterious, a _most_ mysterious dispensation of Providence. May God help and guide the poor boy!' This was not a mere form. Mr. Cherry did believe firmly in a Power overruling the seemingly capricious allotments of what fools call fate. That he felt it expedient from time to time to remind this august Ordainer of the consequences that might flow from His mysterious dispositions was a fault rather of the head than of the heart. He had himself in his small way more than once played the part of a human Providence, and he was conscious, even to morbidness, of the importance of the rôle. While he sat thinking Tom was shown in. He rose and saluted him gravely. 'Mr. Gregory,' he said, 'I congratulate you. This is a great change in your fortunes.' 'So great, Mr. Cherry, that I have not been able to realise it yet.' 'I can understand that. But sit down. I will try, with your leave, to make things clear to you. Mrs. Gregory, of course----' 'One moment, Mr. Cherry,' broke in Tom. 'I must begin by telling you that my mother has told me nothing. I did not know, until yesterday, that we had any Indian relatives at all. I asked her to explain, and she referred me to you.' 'Very strange! very strange!' said the lawyer musingly. 'Mrs. Gregory was surprised?' 'She was more than surprised.' 'Shocked?' 'Yes; I believe she was really shocked,' said Tom. 'My mother told me, you know, to speak to you freely,' he added. 'Certainly. I should be pained if you did not,' said Mr. Cherry in his most impressive manner. 'Mr. Gregory, I have been the friend of your mother's family for three generations. They have all treated me with confidence. You, it seems, are chosen to carry on the traditions of the race. Why this is, I must tell you frankly, I cannot even guess. But it is so. If you permit it, I will be your friend as I have been theirs.' 'Thank you,' said Tom, grasping cordially the hand which the old lawyer extended to him. 'I accept your offer with pleasure. And I only hope I may prove worthy of your friendship.' These preliminaries over, they proceeded to business. In a few clear words Mr. Cherry explained to Tom what the relationship had been between his mother and the rajah. The will, which should be laid before him presently, was of the simplest. There were a few legacies to servants and retainers, a bequest to Mr. Cherry, and the remainder absolutely, in the words of the will, to 'Thomas Gregory, my cousin's son.' 'Are there no conditions?' asked Tom.