down into the Great Canyon at his feet he was conscious of some
undefinable change in the prospect. A slight mist was rising from the
valley, as if it were the last of last night's illusions; the first
level sunbeams were obtrusively searching, and the keen morning air had
a dryly practical insistence which irritated him, until a light footstep
on the farther end of the veranda caused him to turn sharply.

It was the singular apparition of a small boy, bearing a surprising
resemblance to Minty Sharpe, and dressed in an unique fashion. On a
tumbled sea of blond curls a "chip" sailor hat, with a broad red ribbon,
rode jauntily. But here the nautical suggestion changed, as had the
desire of becoming a pirate which induced it. A red shirt, with a white
collar, and a yellow plaid ribbon tie, that also recalled Minty Sharpe,
lightly turned the suggestion of his costume to mining. Short black
velvet trousers, coming to his knee, and ostentatiously new short-legged
boots, with visible straps like curling ears, completed the entirely
original character of his lower limbs.

Mainwaring, always easily gentle and familiar with children and his
inferiors, looked at him with an encouraging smile. Richelieu--for it
was he--advanced gravely and held out his hand, with the cameo ring
apparent. Mainwaring, with equal gravity, shook it warmly, and removed
his hat. Richelieu, keenly observant, did the same.

"Is Jim Bradley out yet?" asked Richelieu, carelessly.

"No; I think not. But I'm Frank Mainwaring. Will I do?"

Richelieu smiled. The dimples, the white teeth, the dark, laughing eyes,
were surely Minty's?