“I was not likely to do that, sir.”

“Then I cannot conceive how it can interest you whether he be in London or Kamtchatka.  It does not interest me the least in the world.  Were he to turn up here it would be a trouble; and yet they expect me to subscribe largely to a fund for finding him.  What good could he do me if he were found?”

“Oh, John, he is your son,” said Miss Scarborough.

“And would be just as good a son as Augustus, only that he has turned out uncommonly badly.  I have not the slightest feeling in the world as to his birth, and so I think I showed pretty plainly.  But nothing could stop him in his course, and therefore I told the truth, that’s all.”  In answer to this, Harry found it quite impossible to say a word, but got away to his bedroom and dressed for dinner as quickly as possible.

While he was still thus employed Augustus came into the room still dressed in his shooting-clothes.  “So you’ve seen my father,” he said.

“Yes, I saw him.”

“And what did he say to you about Mountjoy?”

“Little or nothing that signifies.  He seems to think it unreasonable that he should be asked to pay for finding him, seeing that the creditors expect to get the advantage of his presence when found.”

“He is about right there.”

“Oh yes; but still he is his father.  It may be that it would be expected that he should interest himself in finding him.”

“Upon my word I don’t agree with you.  If a thousand a year could be paid to keep Mountjoy out of the way I think it would be well expended.”

“But you were acting with the police.”

“Oh, the police!  What do the police know about it?  Of course I talk it all over with them.  They have not the smallest idea where the man is, and do not know how to go to work to discover him.  I don’t say that my father is judicious in his brazen-faced opposition to all inquiry.  He should pretend to be a little anxious—­as I do.  Not that there would be any use now in pretending to keep up appearances.  He has declared himself utterly indifferent to the law, and has defied the world.  Never mind, old fellow, we shall eat the more dinner, only I must go and prepare myself for it.”

At dinner Harry found only Septimus Jones, Augustus Scarborough, and his aunt.  Miss Scarborough said a good deal about her brother, and declared him to be much better.  “Of course you know, Augustus, that Sir William Brodrick was down here for two days.”

“Only fancy,” replied he, “what one has to pay for two days of Sir William Brodrick in the country!”

“What can it matter?” said the generous spinster.

“It matters exactly so many hundred pounds; but no one will begrudge it if he does so many hundred pounds’ worth of good.”

“It will show, at any rate, that we have had the best advice,” said the lady.