would have done; make you self reliant, and independent."

Still, of course, a great portion of his time had been with his
father, and they often would ride round the estate together and
talk to the tenants, or walk in the gardens and forcing houses.
Generally Mark would be driven by his father to the meet if it took
place within reasonable distance, his horse being sent on beforehand
by a groom, while of an evening they would sit in the library,
smoke their long pipes, and talk over politics or the American and
French wars.

All this was over. There was but one thing now that he could do for
his father, and that was to revenge his death, and at the thought
he rose from his bed impatiently and paced up and down the room.
He must wait for a week, wait till the funeral was over, and then
he would be on Bastow's track. If all other plans failed he would
spend his time in coaches until at last the villain should try to
stop one; but there must be other ways. Could he find no other he
would apply for employment as a Bow Street runner, serve for a year
to find out their methods, and acquaint himself with the places
where criminals were harbored. It would be the one object of his
life, until he succeeded in laying his hand on Bastow's shoulder.
He would not shoot him if he could help it. He should prefer to see
him in the dock, to hear the sentence passed on him, and to see it
carried out. As to the treasure, it was not worth a thought till
his first duty was discharged.

Presently a servant brought him a cup of tea. He drank it mechanically,
and then proceeded to dress himself. Sir Charles Harris would be
here soon and the others; indeed, he had scarcely finished when he