"He has no family, and his heir is his youthfuler brother, GeneralDunsmore, who has one son, Rupert, I believe. Do you know ifthat's so?"

"Look here," exclaimed Dunn, speaking with a great appearance of anger."Don't you go too far, or maybe something you won't like will happen.If you have anything to say, say it straight out. 0r there'll betrouble."

Deede Dawson seemed a little surprised at the vehemence of theother's tone.

"What's the matter?" he asked. "Don't you like the family, or what'supsetting you?"

Dunn seemed almost choking with fury. He half-lifted one arm andlet it fall again.

"If ever I get hold of that young Rupert Dunsmore," he exclaimed with alittle gasp for breath. "If ever I come face to face with him - manto man - "

"Dear me!" smiled Deede Dawson, lifting his eyebrows. "I'm treadingon sore toes, it seems. What's the trouble between you?"

"Never you mind," said in reply Dunn roughly. "That's my business. Butno man ever had a worse enemy than he's been to me."

"Has he, though?" said Deede Dawson, who seemed fairly interested andeven a little excited. "What did he do?"