"I wonder," he said at length, "I wonder if he knows anything about Mrs. Belswin."
[CHAPTER XXI.]
ARCHIE MAKES HIS PLANS.
"If you are my friend,
I set you this task.
Aid me to an end,
If you are my friend,
Your comradeship lend.
This secret unmask.
If you are my friend
I set you this task."
"Maxwell, Globetrotters, to Clendon, Vicarage, Deswarth.--Come to me at once. Important."
Toby was a lover and therefore unwilling to leave the vicinity of his beloved; but he was also a friend, and being of a kind, staunch nature, speedily made up his mind to obey at once the telegram. His father who sincerely regretted the misfortune which had befallen the unfortunate Kaituna and her lover, warmly approved of his son's going away; so, Toby's mind being at rest concerning the parental opinion, he rode over to the Valpys, in order to see what Tommy thought about the matter.
As he expected, she said he was to lose no time in going to Maxwell, and also gave him several affectionate messages for Kaituna.
"You don't know how sorry I am for her, Toby," she said, with a sigh. "Fancy losing your father and then all your money."
"Still Archie is left," observed Toby, wisely.
"Yes; I'm glad of that. She will always have him to protect her, and that kind woman, Mrs. Belswin. Now then, Toby, don't you say there are no good people in this world when Mrs. Belswin has acted as she has done."