"And what are they saying? Augustus declares that you are especially
interested on the subject."

"I don't know why I should be," said Harry.

"Nor I either. When a fellow becomes no longer of any service to either
man, woman, or beast, I do not know why any should take an interest in
him. I suppose you didn't lend him money?"

"I was not likely to do that, sir."

"Then I cannot conceive how it can interest you whether he be in London
or Kamtchatka. It does not interest me the least in the world. Were he
to turn up here it would be a trouble; and yet they expect me to
subscribe largely to a fund for finding him. What good could he do me if
he were found?"

"Oh, John, he is your son," said Miss Scarborough.

"And would be just as good a son as Augustus, only that he has turned
out uncommonly badly. I have not the slightest feeling in the world as
to his birth, and so I think I showed pretty plainly. But nothing could
stop him in his course, and therefore I told the truth, that's all." In
answer to this, Harry found it quite impossible to say a word, but got
away to his bedroom and dressed for dinner as quickly as possible.

While he was still thus employed Augustus came into the room still
dressed in his shooting-clothes. "So you've seen my father," he said.

"Yes, I saw him."