"I'm on it," declared the impulsive Villiers. "And I," added the hitherto deliberate Claverhouse. Bobby Beverley hesitated. "Out with it, man," exclaimed Harborough encouragingly. "Nothing like speaking your mind. What's the difficulty? Anything of a private nature?" "Not at all, Sir Hugh," replied Beverley, flushing slightly under his tan. "I'd like to come, only----" The baronet guessed the nature of the impediment. He was right, but he was too keen a judge of human nature to prompt the still hesitating youth. "It's like this," resumed Bobby, plunging into details. "I can't very well raise that two hundred and fifty pounds without getting credit. I've a young brother to look after." "How old?" inquired Harborough. "Fifteen this month." "H'm, beginning to think what he wants to be," commented the baronet. "What are you doing with him?" "He's at boarding-school," answered Bobby. "I think he'll go in for motor-engineering. He wanted to have a shot for Sandhurst, but, unless something turns up, I can't run to it." "Nothing like the Service for a healthy youngster, provided he's keen," commented Sir Hugh. "Wish I'd gone in for Osborne when I was a lad. Instead of that I got out of hand, and my governor packed me off to Canada to find my feet. I did," he added grimly. The baronet glanced at his watch again, and then addressed Villiers. "Can you drive a car?" he asked. "You can--good. Will you mind driving me in? Claverhouse can take his, and then I'll have something to get home in. Excuse me a moment while I get my gear." He went out, taking the attaché-case with him. Villiers turned to his companions. "Wonder if he's fixed up for the return journey?" he remarked. "Bobby, you thundering old ox, why the blazing Harry did you hedge? I'd have advanced you the ready like a shot." "I know, old man," replied Beverley. "I'd jump at it, but there's Dick. I'm a non-starter." "Tell you what----" began Villiers. He got no further, for at that instant the door opened and Harborough appeared. "Can you spare me a minute, Beverley?" he asked. Beverley went out. His chums exchanged glances. "It's a deal after all, old bean," remarked Claverhouse. Bobby was absent not one but a good ten minutes. He returned with a radiant face, following the self-possessed Sir Hugh. "Beverley has signed on," announced the baronet briefly. CHAPTER IV Comrades All "When do we take over, sir?" inquired Villiers. The reply came sharp and to the point. "From now," replied Sir Hugh. "In Claverhouse's case, I understand, he will have to give in his resignation. There's one more point. In addition to board and quarters--you'll be regarded as members of the establishment--there will be an amount of two guineas a week to each of the syndicate until we leave England. That will be as soon as possible, but it would hardly be fair to expect you to hang on here without some slight remuneration. Now let's be going."