Charles Rex

over himself; he was seldom

a quizzical twist of th

have you

to the roots of his fair hair. "I came," he sai

" said Saltash lightly, "for I never turn

de answer. "I didn't think you would start so so

ne narrow shoulder and turned the downcast face upwards. "Ah! I thought

drubbing; the small, boyish countenance quivered sensitively under his l

said S

earnestness the words came-"let me stay with you! I'll

e idea, is it?

d an oddly childish look to a face that was otherwise thin and sharp with anxiety. "I

le devil, aren't y

y I'm honest!" Desperat

you take me. I swear

into the upraised face with a semi-quizzical compass

across the drawn face.

e Eng

hat idea, I beg! I'm quite capable of giving you a worse drubbing than the good Antonio, for instance, if you qualified for it

ned on his arm. "No, si

't eat. I'm

demanded Saltash. "Didn't

too miserable." The blue eyes blinked rapi

t somehow reassured. "Sit down there! Curl up

ntly but with decision freed his ar

k?" the boy urged with

hat," said Saltas

io in language that would have outmatched the Italian's own. Then, having relieved his fe

ugh he sought escape from the light. Again the feeling of harbouring some small animal in pain came t

o eat, and when you've had it you'd better get a sleep. Y

tled way. It was almost as if he expected a kick at any moment. Then he looked

Saltash. "Let's ha

r head admonishingly, with his thumb, st

ether and sat up, but he did not raise his eyes to Saltash again. He ke

said, in a low voice. "No one has

altash practically. "You'll talk

de one of royal indifference, but his odd eyes flashing to and fro with a monke

for some time, haven't you?" he asked pres

nything-women's work as well as men's. I can cook and clean boots and knives and sew on

You make me giddy. Tell me the things you

n't drive cars," he said at length. "But

t? You seem to have picked up a good deal in a sh

"I've knocked about

said Saltash. "What made you thin

shining look. "Because she

a few seconds. "You'd made up your mind to

I wanted to-if

nd what are you going to do when you're tired of me

eyes did not flinch from his. "No, I shan't do that," said Tob

in-a blot on my escutcheon for all time. W

nce, and sprang up and stood before him with

s foot, as he sat. "Make me

sh, my lord," sa

to have a little discretion. The promise I want is that whatever happens to you,-however much I kick you or

did eyes. He did not seem surprised at the suggestion so co

r," he said, a

ise, is it?"

ded. "Ye

d out a hand and took him by one

Thank you, my lord." Toby

," Saltash said. "Did any

my

, see? I brought you-i

y lord. Thank

You can call me 'sir' if you like,

said Toby with a

is Toby, is i

r." Very promptl

"I hope it's a good fit," he remarked. "Well, look here, To

orry, sir. I came away in a hurry

hotel livery,

orrowed it,

pay for it, are you

n't want to have anything belonging to that dam

d I'll show you where you can sleep. There's a small cabin out of my dres

What time shall I call you

just lie quiet and take care of that black eye

" said Toby, loo

do as you're told-see?-alway

s, sir. Always, sir!" he said promptly. "Sh

"And don't get up to mischief! There's a strict captain i

ng comprehension. He had plainly forgotten th

" he promised. "I won't get

'll put up with your impudence, do you? You'll pla

't, sir. No, I won't. I'll be a good servant to you-the best you've ever had. I'

and he stopped. Again for a moment he had the f

That'll do. Don't be tragic about it! Come alo

ther words, and Toby went,

k with a smile on his ugly face, hal

began to undress. "So the gods had a gift for

from his face. He snapped his fingers and laughed as he had laughed a little earlier

r!" he s