“No,” said Roger, “nothing there.”
“Yes,” said the tutor, “what’s this?”
And he pointed out a few faint marks in very faded ink, which, after considerable trouble, they deciphered.
“R.I., born 3 September 1849, died 186—,” (the last figure was illegible).
“That settles it,” said Roger, “all except the exact date when he died. Upon my word, I’m quite glad it is my brother after all. I shouldn’t have liked if he’d turned out any one else.”
“Do you know,” added he, as he was about to replace the picture, “I think I shall take it up to my room. I’ve taken rather a fancy to him.”
That afternoon the two friends took the train to London, where, considerably to the relief of both, they heard that the “Oriana” was not expected in dock for three days.