The boy was a handsome, innocent-looking little fellow, rather undersized. With his clear skin, his fair hair and wide blue eyes he looked like the conventional picture of a cherub. No one would have suspected that such a childish creature was a born criminal. But his mind had not yet had time to work on his face, and the mask of his childhood--for he was only thirteen--concealed his evil nature successfully. In a few years, when his passions worked their way through the mask, his face, now so smooth and innocent, would be wrinkled and sinful. His mind would have marked plainly its signet on the smooth surface. But at present he looked charmingly innocent, although he already knew much more about life than was good for him. Julius, in order that the lad might make an impression on Miss Plantagenet, had dressed him in a new suit, and pleased with himself--for much of the boy remained in this precocious criminal--young Jerry trotted along smiling. "Jerry," said Beryl, looking down, "mind you are nice to the old lady." Jerry tossed his fair curls and looked roguish. "Oh, that's all right, Mr. Beryl. All old ladies take to me. They think I'm a kind of Holy Bill, and I let them think so. It pays." "Jerry, you are a young scamp of the worst." The boy chuckled as though he had received a compliment. "I like doing things," he explained frankly; "it's fun. When I was with old grandmother at the castle I hated doing nothing. If it hadn't been for Victoria--the girl I told you about--I should have left long before. I'm going to marry her." "You know nothing about such things," corrected the respectable Mr. Beryl, severely. "I know a jolly sight more than you think," said the urchin under his breath and producing a cigarette. Julius took it from him. "Miss Plantagenet must not think you smoke, Jerry. She is most respectable." "And dull," said Jerry, putting his hands in his pockets. "Lord! what a bore stopping with her will be. But I can nip over and see Victoria when I like." "And keep an eye on Lord Conniston as I told you." "I'm fly," said Master Moon, and began whistling. Julius looked at him with satisfaction. He intended that the boy should remain in the neighborhood so as to keep watch on Conniston--whom since he left the army so unexpectedly he suspected--on Durham, and on Alice Malleson. For this last reason he was introducing him into the house. If Bernard were alive--as Julius began to suspect--he would come to one of these three people, and then Jerry would at once become aware of the fact. Then it would remain with Bernard whether to be hanged or to surrender a large portion of the property which Beryl thought rightfully belonged to him. How he came to this conclusion it is difficult to say.