"Three years."

"He left you ten thousand pounds. What have you done with it?"

"Mr. Heathcote, of Heathcote, Sons, and Vyse, was my solicitor."

"Well?"

I remembered that he had been away from England for several years.

"The firm failed," I told him, "for a quarter of a million. Mr.
Heathcote shot himself. I am told that there is a probable dividend of
sixpence-half-penny in the pound to come some day."

Colonel Ray smoked on in silence. This was evidently news to him.

"Awkward for you," he remarked at last.

I laughed a little bitterly. I knew quite well that he was expecting me
to continue, and I did so.

"I sold my things at Magdalen, and paid my debts. I was promised two
pupils if I would take a house somewhere on this coast. I took one and
got ready for them with my last few pounds. Their father died
suddenly--and they did not come. I got rid of the house, at a
sacrifice, and came to this cottage."

"You took your degree?"