“Does that do you good, dad?” He nodded. I could make out that he was trying to speak, and bent my head to the weak whisper. “I saw somebody.” “I know--I know. Never mind that now. Leave it all to me.” “You’re my good son. You won’t let him rob me, Renny?” “In an hour or two he shall be packed off. You needn’t even see him again.” “Is he back in England?” “In London, yes.” “What does he want?” “To see us--that’s all.” “Not money?” “No, no. He isn’t in need of that just now. Can you move back to your bed, do you think, if I help you?” “You won’t let him come near me?” “He shall go straight from this room out of the house.” “Come,” he said, presently; “I’ll try.” I almost lifted him to his feet, and he clung to my arm, stumbling beside me down the passage to his room. When he was lying settled on his bed, and at ease once more, I returned to my brother. He was sitting in a maudlin attitude by the window, and I saw that he had been at the bottle again. “Now,” I said, sternly, “let’s settle the last of this with a final question: What is it you want?” He looked up at me with an idiotic chuckle. “Wand? What everybody’s always wanding, and I most of all.” “You mean more money, I suppose?” “More? Yes, mush more--mush more than you gave me last time, too.” “Not so much, probably. But lest Zyp should starve I’ll send you what I can in the course of a few days.” He rose with a feebly menacing look. “I’m not going till I get what I wand. I wand my part of the treasure. I know where it’s hid, you fool, and I’m wound up for a try at it. Ge’ out of my way! I’ll go and help myself.” He made a stumbling rush across the room and when I interposed myself between the door and him he struck out at me with a blow as aimless and unharmful as a baby’s. “If you don’t knock under at once,” I said, “I swear I’ll tie you up and keep you here for Duke’s next coming.” He stood swaying before me a moment; then suddenly threw himself on the bed, yelping and sobbing like a hysterical school-girl. “It’s too cruel!” he moaned. “You take advantage of your strength to bully me beyond all bearing. Why shouldn’t I have my share as well as you?” “Never mind all that. Give me your address if you want anything at all.” He lay some time longer yet; then fetched out a pencil and scrap of paper and sulkily scrawled what I asked for. “Now”--I looked at my watch--“there’s a train back to town in half an hour. You’d best be starting.” “Nice hospitality, upon my word. Supposing I stop the night?” “You’re not going to stop the night, unless you wish to do so in the street.” “I’ve a good mind to, you beast, and bring a crowd about the place.” “And Duke with it, perhaps--eh?” His expression changed to one most fulsomely fawning.