"'Tis a case of gallows cheating, then," said I; "and one of blackness, too--a black cat there, a black box here."
I said this lightly, but my father cast a swift, uneasy glance towards the secret panel.
"That's true enough," he answered quickly. "But now for brighter matters. This is your eighteenth birthday, Michael, and I have here for you two presents which may help you on that way of soldiering which, as I knew, would be your choice."
Going to a corner he brought therefrom two parcels, a long one and a short one, neatly wrapped in cloth, and laid them on the table. The larger one he undid first, and there, to my great delight, I saw as fine a sword as any man could wish to wear; then, while I yet stood enraptured at so grand a thing, he brought forth from the other package a brace of handsome pistols with holsters all complete.
"Take these with a father's blessing," said the old man, bowing graciously. "And may you use them well and worthily, my son!"
"Sir!" I began, and forthwith tried to thank him, but the words came stumbling awkwardly.
Then he must needs strap on the sword himself, and make me stand while he surveyed the hang of it like any captain on parade.
"Yes, 'tis well enough, 'twill do," he said at last; "but remember, Michael, that the truest blade is naught unless there be a good, true heart behind it."
"Aye, sir, I will remember that," I answered solemnly.
"Ah, I am sure of it," rejoined my father. "And now I have it in mind to write to my friend Lord Feversham concerning you. It may be that he hath an ensignship or cornetcy to offer. Would that suit you?"