and passionate attachment for Keith. Keith had been good to him when he first joined, had put him up to the ropes, had been on every occasion his warm friend, and the young fellow in consequence gave the deepest devotion of his heart to Keith.
Now Percy Aylmer was second cousin to Major Strause. Both his parents were dead, and he was possessed of large private means. He had no near relations, and often boasted that he could do exactly what he liked with the thousands which belonged to him. Major Strause was always more or less in money difficulties. He was a man who both gambled and drank. His character in the regiment was by no means without reproach. It was whispered that he was quite capable of doing shady actions, and although nothing absolutely to his discredit was known, he inspired little trust, and had few friends. From the moment that Aylmer had joined the North Essex Light Infantry it had been Major Strause's intention to make use of him. His young cousin's money would help him out of his many difficulties. He intended to make use of it, and probably would have done so but for the influence of Gavon Keith. Keith, upright himself, scrupulously honourable, straight as a die in all his words and actions, read through the major, and in his own way counteracted the influence which he tried to exert over Percy Aylmer. Without saying much, Keith contrived that Aylmer should look at Strause somewhat with his own eyes. And the consequence was that on many occasions Strause's endeavours to get large sums of money from his kinsman were foiled.
There came a day when Aylmer hastily appeared in Keith's quarters, flung himself into a chair, and said, —
"Now what's to be done? Strause is evidently up a tree. He wants me to lend him five thousand pounds. I have all but promised, but as you have always been my best friend, I thought I would let you know."
Keith looked annoyed.
"Where is the use of talking?" he said. "You are aware of my opinion. Strause is a confirmed gambler. Whatever you let him have he will lose either on the turf or the Stock Exchange."
Keith had never said as much before, and he bit his lips with annoyance when the words had passed them.
"Do you really think as badly of him as that?" asked Aylmer, in an anxious tone.
"Yes," said Keith stoutly. "As I have spoken, I hold to it; I cannot mince matters. Strause is not an honourable man, and the less you, my dear boy, have to do with him the better. By-the-way, Aylmer, how old are you?"
"I shall be two-and-twenty in a month," was Aylmer's reply.
"And on my next birthday I shall be twenty-nine. You must see what a gulf of experience lies between us. Now, Aylmer, I like you."
"You are the best friend a young fellow ever had," was Aylmer's reply.
"And I don't want to see you going straight to the devil."
Aylmer fidgeted.
"You may or may not be right with regard to Strause," he said, after a pause, "but one doesn't care to see one's kinsman in distress. Strause says he will be obliged to leave the regiment if I don't help him."
"To the extent of five thousand pounds?" remarked Keith.
Aylmer was silent.
"I tell you what it is," remarked the older man suddenly. "You leave me to see Strause over this matter."
"But he hates you, Keith," was Aylmer's naïve reply.
"All the same, I think I'll tackle him," said Keith. "Don't lend him money, Aylmer. For any sake, be firm with him. Strause can be the very devil if he once has a hold over a fellow."
Keith had cause to remember his own words later on, but at the time he thought only of Aylmer and how best he could save him.
That evening Keith called upon Major Strause, and had, as he expressed it, a straight talk with him. What one said to the other was never known, but when Keith left his brother officer's quarters he was under the impression that Aylmer was saved. This appeared to be the case. Strause was still quite friendly to both men, and Aylmer soon afterwards informed his friend that the loan of five thousand was no longer required.
Some weeks went by, and one evening Aylmer casually mentioned that he was making a fresh will.
"I made one soon after I joined," he said, "about three months after, just when you prevented me from making an ass of myself at mess. Do you remember?"
Keith smiled.
"Yes," he said. "I thought you one of the nicest boys I had ever seen afterwards."
"Well, I made a will then, and – Keith, you must not be angry – I put you into it."
"I wish you would make another, and leave me out," said Keith bluntly.
"That is just what Strause wants me to do."
"Oh," said Keith, altering his manner, "has Strause anything to do with this?"
"A great deal. I went up to town yesterday to consult his lawyer."
"Why? have you not your own business man?"
"I have; but Strause thinks a great deal of Mr. Gust."
"And have you made a will and signed it?"
"There is a will being drawn up. I cannot tell you its contents; it would not be fair, as you are one of those who will profit by it."
Keith sprang to his feet.
"Look here, Aylmer, old man," he said, "I have as much money as I need. Don't put me in your will; strike that part out. I don't want a man to leave his money away from his relatives."
"Well, then, Strause gets about everything. I am an only son of an only son, and my mother had neither brothers nor sisters."
"You talk as though you were dropping into the grave," said Keith. "All in good time you will marry and have children of your own. Don't sign that will, if you take my advice. Strause is playing his cards for his own ends. And now I will say no more."
A week after this Aylmer quite unexpectedly fell ill. At first it was reported that he had taken a bad chill when out hunting, and would be all right again in a few days. Then the doctor began to look grave, and said something about sudden developments and possible danger. Keith heard the news in the mess-room, and went straight to Aylmer's quarters. He found the poor fellow tossing about, flushed and miserable, with Strause in close attendance.
"Keith!" he cried, the moment Gavon Keith entered the room. "Oh, I am glad to see you! So you have come at last!"
"At last!" cried Keith; "I only heard of your illness an hour ago."
"But I have been sending you note after note," said the poor young fellow. "I wanted you so badly last night – yes, and the night before too."
"I'll sit up with you to-night, Aylmer," said Strause.
"Oh, it was dreadful last night!" moaned the boy. "I was alone, and I got so giddy, and thought for a moment that I was dying."
"Why has he not a proper nurse?" said Keith, turning sharply round and facing Strause.
"He doesn't wish for a nurse, nor does the doctor think it necessary. I am prepared to give up all my time to him."
"O Keith, do sit down; don't go quite yet," said Aylmer. His voice was low and his breathing rapid.
