“Never once until that moment. I’ve not been able to find out anything about him either. He must have enrolled in the Volunteers, under an assumed name, of course.”
Colonel Woodburn, looking his old self again, was genuinely pleased to welcome the boy. For half an hour he drew him out on the subject of the Lucknow campaign, and then Ethel claimed her brother-in-law again.
“Come and see my presents, Ted,” she ordered.
“With pleasure—oh, by the way, I’ve brought my little contribution. Hope you’ll like it.”
She gave a little scream of delight as he handed her an open box.
“Oh, how beautiful! How lovely! Ted, you shouldn’t have given me anything like this. It’s much too good.”
“It’s not half good enough.”
“Look at this necklet, father! Is it not exquisite?”
Colonel Woodburn examined the present, and gave a whistle of amazement.
“Ted, my boy, wherever did you get this?” he asked. “It’s worth hundreds or I’m no judge. Diamonds and rubies of this size! And what workmanship!”