CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
BACK TO SCHOOL.
I tried very hard not to meet Doctor Chowne when he next came over to our cottage, which was two days after the escape from drowning, for he was very frequently in confab with my father.
They went into the little parlour, and so as to be out of the way I went into the cliff garden to watch the sea seated astride of one of the gates; but, as luck would have it, my father and the doctor came out to talk in the garden, and as there was no way of escape without facing them, I had to remain where I was and put on the boldest front I could.
"Oh, you're there, are you, Mr Sep ?" exclaimed the doctor grimly.
"Yes, sir," I said.
"That's right; I only wanted to ask a favour of you." "What is it, sir ?" I said.
"Oh, wait a minute and I'll tell you," said the doctor in his grimmest way.

"It was only this.

You see I'm a very busy man, twice as busy as I used to be since your father has taken to consulting me.

What I want you to do is this--" He stopped short and stared at me till I grew uncomfortable.
"This, my lad," he continued.

"To save time, I want you to tell me when you are going to try next to kill my boy." "To kill Bob, sir ?" "Yes, I want to be ready, as I've so little time to spare.