Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/94

84 should have called upon you yesterday to express the gratitude I feel to you for having saved the life of my son, but I was unavoidably prevented."

"I beg you will not mention it," I said. "His lordship thanked me sufficiently himself. And after all, when you look at it, it was not very much to do. I would, however, venture one little suggestion. Is it not dangerous to let him swim so far unaccompanied by a boat? The same thing might happen again and no one be near enough to render him any assistance."

"He will not do so again. He has learned a lesson from this experience. And now, Mr. Hatteras, I trust you will forgive what I am about to say. My son has told me that you have just arrived in England from Australia. Is there any way I can be of service to you? If there is, and you will acquaint me of it, you will be conferring a great favour upon me."

"I thank your Grace," I replied—I hope with some little touch of dignity—"It is indeed kind of you, but I could not think of such a thing. But, stay, there is one service perhaps you could do for me."

"I am delighted to hear it, sir. And pray what may it be?"

"Your son's tutor, Mr. Baxter! His face is strangely familiar to me. I have seen him somewhere before, but I cannot recall where. Could you tell me anything of his history?"

"Very little, I fear, save that he seems a worthy and painstaking man, an excellent scholar, and very capable in his management of young men. I received excellent references with him, but of his past history I know very little. I believe, however, that he was a missionary in the South Seas for some time, and that he was