Necessarily I had to admit the soundness of his lordship’s argument. But, as I pointed out to him, it was rather a large order for me to follow his son round the world, and it required some consideration. In the mean time, however, I promised to do what I could to learn something of the major’s past career, and I took steps accordingly. A few days later I crossed the Channel to Paris, where I had no difficulty in discovering that Delaporte was fully entitled to style himself “major.” His military career, however, had not been distinguished by any particular brilliancy. On the other hand, there was nothing against his good name, unless it was that he was regarded as a very extravagant man, and fond of keeping up a style which his means and position did not warrant. It was also hinted that h
