"Captain Handlee."
"Tell him to come in." Dick knew Captain Handlee as an old soldier, who lived in a tumble-down house on the outskirts of the village. The veteran, escorted by the butler, entered shyly. Dick greeted him kindly, and the old man began almost abruptly:
"Did you ever hear that I had a son?"
"No, I never knew that. Where is he?"
"That is what I want you to help me to find out."
"You want me to help you? Why, how can I?" asked Dick.
"I don't know that you can. I only hope so. Will you?"
"I will do all I can for you, but perhaps you want to see my father," for Dick had an idea that the old man wanted some money for some purpose.
"No, I want to see you, Mr. Dick. You see you are going to a military academy, and that is why I think you can help me."
"But I don't understand."