TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
CHAPTER I.The Despatch [9]
CHAPTER II.Two Friends [18]
CHAPTER III.Monsieur Roger [26]
CHAPTER IV.Monsieur Roger's Story [32]
CHAPTER V.Fire at Sea [39]
CHAPTER VI.Miss Miette's Fortune [46]
CHAPTER VII.Vacation [53]
CHAPTER VIII.A Drawing Lesson [59]
CHAPTER IX.The Tower of Heurtebize [66]
CHAPTER X.Physical Science [75]
CHAPTER XI.The Smoke Which Falls [84]
CHAPTER XII.At the Centre of the Earth [92]
CHAPTER XIII.Why Lead is Heavier than Cork [99]
CHAPTER XIV.The Air-Pump [104]
CHAPTER XV.Drops of Rain and Hammer of Water [114]
CHAPTER XVI.Amusing Physics [119]
CHAPTER XVII.Why the Moon does not Fall [127]
CHAPTER XVIII.A Mysterious Resemblance [138]
CHAPTER XIX.The Fixed Idea [146]
CHAPTER XX.Fire [152]
CHAPTER XXI.Saved [161]
CHAPTER XXII.George! George! [167]
CHAPTER XXIII.A Proof? [178]
CHAPTER XXIV.The Air and the Lungs [184]
CHAPTER XXV.Oxygen [190]
CHAPTER XXVI.Why Water Puts out Fire [200]
CHAPTER XXVII.Paul or George? [214]
CHAPTER XXVIII.My Father [222]

IN SEARCH OF A SON.

[CHAPTER I.]
THE DESPATCH.

In the great silence of the fields a far-off clock struck seven. The sun, an August sun, had been up for some time, lighting up and warming the left wing of the old French château. The tall old chestnut-trees of the park threw the greater part of the right wing into the shade, and in this pleasant shade was placed a bench of green wood, chairs, and a stone table.

The door of the château opened, and a gentleman lightly descended the threshold. He was in his slippers and dressing-robe, and under the dressing-robe you could see his night-gown. After having thrown a satisfied look upon the beauty of nature, he approached the green seat, and seated himself before the stone table. An old servant came up and said,—

"What will you take this morning, sir?"