“Sir,” said Dunburne, very seriously, “I am sorry that I am not more to your mind.  As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy.  I cannot, I fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill for a hundred pounds.  I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation.”

At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh.  “I protest,” he cried, “you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with.  But come,” he added, sobering suddenly, “what did you say was your name?”

“I declare, sir,” said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, “I have clean forgot.  Was it Tom or John Robinson?”

Again the other burst out laughing.  “Well,” he said, “what does it matter?  Thomas or John—­’tis all one.  I see that you are a ragged, lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant.  Even if that is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well.  As for a name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best.  I will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months clothe you like a lord.  You shall live upon the best, and shall meet plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford.  All that I demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three months that I so entertain you.  Come.  Is it a bargain?”

Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously.  “First of all,” said he, “I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me.”

The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out:  “Well, what then?  What of it?  Why should I be afraid?  I’ll tell you.  Your name shall be Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of Clandennie.”

Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne’s feet he could not have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding words.  He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think.  At that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for.  As the sound of his entrance struck upon our young gentleman’s senses he came to himself with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses.

IV

A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY