“Quite so. I was at first inclined to fear that my old friend had lost his usual discretion, but I begin to see that he has acted sensibly. I shall, of course, comply with his request, and will assist you to the best of my endeavors. First, do you require any money?”
“Not to-day, sir, but I probably shall soon.”
Guy gave some business messages to Mr. Russell, and then asked: “Have you heard anything of Mr. Saunders’ young ward, of late, Mr. Russell?”
“Yesterday I received a letter from Dr. Musgrave, complaining of his insubordination.”
“Will you kindly show me the letter?”
The merchant opened his desk and produced a letter, which he placed in the hands of his young companion.
Guy read it with mingled interest and curiosity.
This is the material portion of it:
Respected Sir:
I regret to find myself under the necessity of complaining to you of the boy whom you some time since placed under my charge. I should have refrained from doing so, feeling quite able to manage him, if I did not suspect that he had made complaints to you or Mr. Saunders, of Bombay, of his treatment at the school. Let me say, then, that he has shown himself very insubordinate, and in that respect has set a bad example to my other pupils. In particular he is impudent to my son Simon, and seems to have conceived a violent hatred for him.