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“What a fellow you are,” said Mr. Lindsay. “Out of the question! With the wind setting down the lane too! you talk of my cough–which is better, by-the-bye.”

“What a fellow you are!” retorted the other. “Bartram, you are the oddest creature I know. What ever you take up, you do drive at so. Now I have hardly got a lark afloat before I’m sick of it. I wish you’d tell me two things–first, why are you so grave to-night? and, secondly, what made you take up our young friend’s cause so warmly?”

“One answer will serve both questions,” said Mr. Lindsay. “The truth is, old fellow, our young friend–[and Bill felt certain that the ‘young friend’ was himself]–has a look of a little chap I was chum with at school–Regy Gordon. I don’t talk about it often, for I can’t very well; but he was killed–think of it, man!–killed by such a piece of bullying as this! When they found him, he was quite stiff and speechless; he lived a few hours, but he only said two words–my name, and amen.”

“Amen?” said Master Arthur, inquiringly.

“Well, you see when the surgeon said it was no go, they telegraphed for his friends; but they were a long way off, and he was sinking rapidly; and the old Doctor was in the room, half heart-broken, and he saw Gordon move his hands together, and he said, ‘If any boy knows what prayers Gordon minor has been used to say, let him come and say them by him;’ and I did. So I knelt by his bed and said them, the old Doctor kneeling too and sobbing like a child; and when I had done, Regy moved his lips and said ‘Amen;’ and then he said ‘Lindsay!’ and smiled, and then–“

Master Arthur squeezed his friend’s arm tightly, but said nothing, and both the young men were silent; but Bill could not restrain his tears. It seemed the saddest story he had ever heard, and Mr. Lindsay’s hand upon his shoulder shook so intolerably whilst he was speaking, that he had taken it away, which made Bill worse, and he fairly sobbed.

“What are you blubbering about, young ‘un?” said Mr. Lindsay. “He is better off than any of us, and if you are a good boy you will see him some day;” and the young gentleman put his hand back again, which was steady now.

“What became of the other fellow?” said Master Arthur.

“He was taken away, of course. Sent abroad, I believe. It was hushed up. And now you know,” added Mr. Lindsay, “why my native indolence has roused itself to get this cad taught a lesson, which many a time I wished to GOD when wishes were too late, that that other bully had been taught in time. But no one could thrash him; and no one durst complain. However, let’s change the subject, old fellow! I’ve got over it long since: though sometimes I think the wish to see Regy again helps to keep me a decent sort of fellow. But when I saw the likeness this morning, it startled me; and then to hear the story, it seemed like a dream–the Gordon affair over again. I suppose rustic nerves are tougher; however, your village blackguard shan’t have the chance of committing murder if we can cure him!”

“I believe you half wanted to undertake the cure yourself,” said Master Arthur.

Mr. Lindsay laughed.

“I did for a minute. Fancy your father’s feelings if I had come home with a black eye from an encounter with a pot-house bully! You know I put my foot into a tender secret of your man’s, by offering to be the performer!”

“How?”

Mr. Lindsay lowered his voice, but not so that Bill could not hear what he said, and recognize the imitation of John Gardener.

“He said, ‘I’d rather do it, if you please, Sir. The fact is, I’m partial to the young woman myself!’ After that, I could but leave John to defend his young woman’s belongings.”