Coming Back The letter which Caldigate wrote to his father from Ahalala, telling him of the discovery of gold upon their claim, contained the first tidings which reached Folking of the wanderer, and that was not received till seven or eight months had passed by since he left the place.

The old Squire, during that time, had lived a very solitary life.

In regard to his nephew, whom he had declared his purpose of partially adopting, he had expressed himself willing to pay for his education, but had not proposed to receive him at Folking.

And as to that matter of heirship, he gave his brother to understand that it was not to be regarded as a settled thing.

Folking was now his own to do what he liked with it, and as such it was to remain.