Alaric brushed a tear from his eye, and ended by promising
to be guided by his friend’s advice. Harry
Norman, as he walked into the office, felt a glow
of triumph as he reflected that he had done his duty
by his friend with true disinterested honesty.
And Alaric, he also felt a glow of triumph as he reflected
that, come what might, there would be now no necessity
for him to break with Norman or with the Woodwards.
Norman must now always remember that it was at his
own instigation that he, Alaric, had consented to
be a candidate.
As regarded the real fact of the candidature, the
prize was too great to allow of his throwing away
such a chance. Alaric’s present income
was L200; that which he hoped to gain was L600!
MR. FIDUS NEVERBEND
Immediately on entering the office, Tudor gave it
to be understood that he intended to give in his name
as a candidate; but he had hardly done so when his
attention was called off from the coming examinations
by another circumstance, which was ultimately of great
importance to him. One of the Assistant-Secretaries
sent for him, and told him that his services having
been required by Sir Gregory Hardlines for a week or
so, he was at once to go over to that gentleman’s
office; and Alaric could perceive that, as Sir Gregory’s
name was mentioned, the Assistant-Secretary smiled
on him with no aspect of benign solicitude.
He went over accordingly, and found that Sir Gregory,
having been desired to select a man for a special
service in the country, had named him. He was
to go down to Tavistock with another gentleman from
the Woods and Forests, for the purpose of settling
some disputed point as to the boundaries and privileges
of certain mines situated there on Crown property.
‘You know nothing about mining, I presume?’
said Sir Gregory.
‘Nothing whatever,’ said Alaric.
’I thought not; that was one reason why I selected
you. What is wanted is a man of sharp intelligence
and plain common sense, and one also who can write
English; for it will fall to your lot to draw up the
report on the matter. Mr. Neverbend, who is to
be your colleague, cannot put two words together.’
‘Mr. Neverbend!’ said Alaric.
’Yes, Fidus Neverbend, of the Woods and Forests;
a very excellent public servant, and one in whom the
fullest confidence can be placed. But between
you and me, he will never set the Thames on fire.’
‘Does he understand mining?’ asked Alaric.
’He understands Government properties, and will
take care that the Crown be not wronged; but, Tudor,
the Government will look to you to get the true common-sense
view of the case. I trust—I mean that
I really do trust, that you will not disgrace my choice.’
Alaric of course promised that he would do his best,
expressed the deepest gratitude to his patron, and
went off to put himself into communication with Mr.
Neverbend at the Woods and Forests, having received
an assurance that the examination in his own office
should not take place till after his return from Tavistock.
He was not slow to perceive that if he could manage
to come back with all the eclat of a successful
mission, the prestige of such a journey would go far
to assist him on his coming trial.
