would never come. Nothing is so terrible. You must send some one. Now I
think that the best one you can send is myself, and I hope I speak
without vanity. No mere hireling can go on this service. The one who
goes should have different motives, and for my part I should feel the
search to have a personal interest, and should work for you as I would
for myself."

"Oh, Lieutenant Dudleigh," said Edith, "there is no need for me to say
how I should feel about a search made by you. I refrain from expressions
of gratitude, since you forbid them; and so I do not know what to say."

"Say nothing, then, and--I do not like to say it, but I must--hope for
nothing. If you hope, you may be disappointed. If you do not hope, you
can not be. But in any case, whether you are disappointed or not,
remember this--that in spite of these musty lawyers, if the worst comes
to the worst you have one steadfast friend, and that if you say the word
I will force a way for you through those gates. If you ever feel
discouraged, remember that. It is a great preventive against despair to
know that you have an alternative of some kind. And now I will take my
departure, for the train will leave soon, and I must go at once."

* * * * *



CHAPTER XXV.


THE SOURCES OF THE NILE.