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He was speechless. He tried to say “Alice,” but the sound was inarticulate. Their eyes met.

A clatter in the fender. The tall man’s heel had come down heavily among the fire-irons.

“Let me introduce you,” said Colonel Bristo to this man and Dick. “You will like to know each other, since you both come from the same country: Mr. Edmonstone, from Australia; Mr. Miles, from Australia! Mr. Miles was born and bred there, Dick, and has never been in England before. So you will be able to compare notes.”

The two men stared at each other and shook hands.

“SIT down, boy, sit down,” said Colonel Bristo, “and let us have a look at you. Mind, we don’t know yet that you’re not an impostor. You should have brought proofs.”

“Here are five-foot-ten of them,” said Dick, laughing.

“To believe that, we must put you through examination and cross-examination,” the Colonel added with a glance at his daughter; “although I half believe you really are the man you profess to be. What do you say, Alice?”