“They were all sick when they left,” said Potts; “but before they got to Quebec they were sicker, I’ll bet.” “Why so?” “Did you ever hear of the ship-fever?” said Potts, in a low voice which sent a sharp trill through every fibre of Brandon’s being. He could only nod his head. “Well, the _Tecumseh_, with her six hundred passengers, afforded an uncommon fine field for the ship-fever. That’s what I was going to observe. They had a great time at Quebec last summer; but it was unanimously voted that the _Tecumseh_ was the worst ship of the lot. I send out an agent to see what had become of my three friends, and he came back and told me all. He said that about four hundred of the _Tecumseh’s_ passengers died during the voyage, and ever so many more after the landing. The obtained a list of the dead from the quarantine records, and among them were those of the these three youthful Brandons. Yes, they joined old Cognac pretty soon--lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in death not divided. But this young devil that you speak of must have escaped. I dare say he did, for the confusion was awful.” “But couldn’t there have been another son?” “Oh no. There was another son, the eldest, the worst of the whole lot, so infernally bad that even old Brandy himself couldn’t stand it, but packed him off to Botany Bay. It’s well he went of his own accord, for if he hadn’t the law would have sent him there at last transported for life.” “Perhaps this man is the same one.” “Oh no. This eldest Brandy is dead.” “Are you sure?” “Certain--best authority. A business friend of mine was in the same ship with him. Brandy was coming home to see his friends. He fell overboard and my friend saw him drown. It was in the Indian Ocean.” “When was that?” “Last September.” “Oh, then this one must be the other of course!” “No doubt of that, I think,” said Potts, cheerily. Brandon rose. “I feel much obliged. Sir John,” said he, stiffly, and with his usual nasal tone, “for your kindness. This is just what I want. I’ll put a stop to my young man’s game. It’s worth coming to England to find out this.” “Well, when you walk him out of your office, give him my respects and tell him I’d be very happy to see him. For I would, you know. I really would.” “I’ll tell him so,” said Brandon, “and if he is alive perhaps he’ll come here.” “Ha! ha! ha!” roared Potts. “Ha! ha!” laughed Brandon, and pretending not to see Potts’s outstretched hand, he bowed and left. He walked rapidly down the avenue. He felt stifled. The horrors that had been revealed to him had been but in part anticipated. Could there be any thing worse?