tell him we know where Joan Meredyth is, but give him my compliments,
and ask him to repeat what he told me the other day."

Hudson went out. He was gone ten minutes, while the General dozed in a
chair. He was thinking of the past, of those good old days when he and
Tom Meredyth, the girl's father, and George Alston, the lad's father,
were all young fellows together. Ah, good old days, fine old days! When
the young blood coursed strong and hot in the veins, when there was no
need of Harrogate waters, when the limbs were supple and strong, and the
eyes bright and clear. "And they are gone," the old man muttered--"both
of them, and a lot of other good fellows besides; and I am an old, old
man, begad, an old fellow sitting here waiting for my call to come
and--" He paused, and looked up.

"Well, Hudson?"

"I have been speaking to Mr. Rankin, sir. He wished me to tell you--"
Hudson paused; his face was a little flushed, as with some inward
excitement.

"Go on!"

"Before his death, which occurred six months ago, Mr. Robert Meredyth,
who had made a great deal of money in Australia, re-purchased the old
Meredyth family estate at Starden in Kent, Starden Hall, meaning to
return to England, and take up his residence there. Unfortunately, he
died on board ship. His wife was dead, his only son was killed in the
war, and he had left the whole of his fortune, about three hundred
thousand pounds, and the Starden Hall Estate, to his niece, Miss Joan
Meredyth."