"Yes, Barbara. But first come and have your lunch, then we will talk. I
have got lots to tell and show you."

So they lunched, speaking of indifferent things, for the servant was
there waiting on them. Just as they were finishing their meal Jeekie
entered the room carrying a box and a large envelope addressed to his
master, which he said had been sent by special messenger from the office
in London.

"What's in the box?" asked Alan, looking somewhat nervously at the
envelope, which was addressed in a writing that he knew.

"Don't know for certain, Major," answered Jeekie, "but think Little
Bonsa; think I smell her through wood."

"Well, look and see," replied Alan, while he broke the seal of the
envelope and drew out its contents. They proved to be sundry documents
sent by the firm's lawyers, among which were a notice of the formal
dissolution of partnership to be approved by him before it appeared
in the _Gazette_, a second notice calling in a mortgage for fifteen
thousand and odd pounds on Yarleys, which as a matter of business had
been taken over by the firm while he was a partner; a cash account
showing a small balance against him, and finally a receipt for him to
sign acknowledging the return of the gold image that was his property.

"You see," said Alan with a sigh, pushing over the papers to Barbara,
who read them carefully one by one.

"I see," she answered presently. "It is war to the knife. Alan, I hate