“Then I have not lost?”
“No; gained enough to pay well for Joe’s education, and I stand just the same. Now, boys, a good training with an army coach, and then Sandhurst. What do you say?”
“Hurrah!” cried the boys in a breath; and when they repeated it their fathers joined in.
About a month later Grip was loose in the garden, and seeing some one approach, Gwyn rushed at the dog, seized him by the collar, and chained him up before turning back to meet—Tom Dinass, who was coming up to the house.
“You here—alive?” cried Gwyn.
“Seems like it, sir,” said the man, grinning. “That there dorg’s as nasty and savage as ever. Guv’nor in?”
“Yes, I’m here, sir,” said the Colonel, who had seen the man approach. “Then you were not drowned in the mine?”
“Oh, no, I warn’t drowned in the mine.”
“Well, what is your business?”
“Would you mind taking me in where we sha’n’t be heard?”