"Your first reason is good; your second I do not think that you need worry over. Then you will stay? Well, then, you must certainly let the wish of my wife and of Irene conquer your pride. I want to help you all I can; and if presently it is better for you to go, I promise you that I will not seek to detain you." "Do stop, Ralph," added Irene, who, pet as she was, had stolen into her father's study, and heard what was said. "I want you to stay; and I want you to teach me how to throw a rope like that, though I should never dare to throw it at a bull. Please stay." And somehow Ralph looked down into that upturned little face, and he could not say "no." "It is very good of you, sir," he murmured, to Mr. St. Clive, "especially after what Lord Elgert said----" "My lad, do not be so sensitive concerning that." "But I cannot help it, sir. He first called my father a thief; and he--he--you know what he said about your silver?" And Ralph turned very red. Mr. St. Clive understood, and sympathized. He liked Ralph all the better for being keenly sensitive about it. "There, let it go, my dear boy. Now, once more, business. Have you any luggage, save these two handbags?" "In London, sir. Two great trunks. Father left them at the station. Here are the papers for them." And the boy took a railway luggage receipt from his pocket-book. "This is important. We may find something to help us in those trunks," cried Mr. St. Clive. "Of course, I am not legally justified in touching them, Ralph; but, under the circumstances, I think that I might do so. We must have them here, and examine their contents. We may then discover what brought your father to Stow Ormond; and that, in its turn, might give us some clue as to what may have happened." "I do not think there is much doubt as to what has happened," sighed the boy. But Mr. St. Clive would not listen to that. "Never look at the darkest side, lad. There is a kind Providence over all, and we must never despair. Now, our very first task must be to obtain your travelling trunks without delay." Mr. St. Clive lost no time in putting this resolution into practice. The trunks were got down from London, and opened; but, to their disappointment, their contents revealed nothing which tended in any way to throw a light upon the mystery--clothing, a few mementoes of their Texan home, and--and in view of Ralph's future welfare this was most important--banknotes and gold to the amount of £3,000! "No need to feel yourself dependent upon any one now, Ralph," was the remark of Mr. St. Clive, as they counted this money; "and no need to give another thought to Lord Elgert's suspicions. People possessed of so much money do not go breaking into houses, risking their liberty for the sake of what they may be able to steal."