"What changes happen," he said, as he laid it down. "To think that Mat Jervoise should be an exile, his old home in the hands of strangers, and he a major in the Swedish service; and that I should never have heard a word about it!
"Well, young sir," and he held out his hand to Harry, "I can promise you my aid and protection, to the utmost, in whatever matter you may be concerned. I seem to remember the name of your companion, too."
"His father, Sir Marmaduke, was a neighbour of ours. There has always been great friendship between the two families."
"Of course, I remember him now. He was some fifteen or twenty years older than your father. I remember that I went over with your father and grandfather, and dined at his place. He is still alive and well, I hope?"
"He is both, sir," Charlie said; "but, like Major Jervoise, an exile."
"You amaze me, but I will not ask you to tell me more, now. I have to be at Saint James's at twelve.
"Let me see, this evening I shall be engaged. Come tomorrow morning, at half past eight, and I shall then be able to give you an hour, or maybe two, if necessary, and will then hear the whole story fully."
The young men, on presenting themselves the next morning, at the hour named, were at once ushered in.
"Now, let us lose no time," the duke said, after shaking hands heartily. "Which of you will tell the story?"
"Carstairs will do so, my lord," Harry replied. "The mischief was hatched in his house, and my father, and six other gentlemen, were the victims of the treachery of a kinsman of his."