CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
FOREARMED AS WELL AS FOREWARNED.
"Who is it ?" said my father.
"Bigley Uggleston," I replied, feeling very awkward.
"Oh, come in, my lad," said my father quietly; and as I held the door back for him to enter, it suddenly struck me what a frank, handsome-looking fellow he had grown.
I felt more awkward still, for it seemed to me that I was going to listen to some very unpleasant remarks about our companionship being broken off; but to my surprise my father said quietly: "Come after Sep ?" "Yes, sir.

I thought if he was not busy--" "Well, but he is," said my father smiling.

"He was about to unpack that box for me--I was just going to set him the task." Bigley drew back, but my father said good-humouredly: "Why don't you stop and help him ?" "May I, sir?
I should like to." "Go on, then, my lads.

Take the lid off carefully, Sep.

There is a screw-driver in that cupboard." I went eagerly to the cupboard and opened it, to give quite a start, for there, hanging upon nails at the back, were the pistols and sword I had remembered were absent from home.
I found the screw-driver in a sort of tool-chest, and as Bigley and I took it in turns to draw the screws, my father cleared the table.
"Be careful," he said.