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"I have written and posted letters to my uncle daily, sir I, too, have been concerned that he has not written to me for several days"

I saw hter in his chair, but he did not speak Colonel Stiet pursed his lips "Well It seems to me that we then have the answer to our little puzzle So Certainly this should not cause any of us much distress, however I do not feel it has been worth this ‘e and arduous day"

I could not think of a reply, but my uncle answered for us

"Ordinarily, it would not," my uncle replied "Save that I have had so Nevare of late And thus I made hinoring that request, I naturally felt concern"

"Naturally," Colonel Stiet agreed, but his voice was flat with skepticism "And now that you are reassured that all is ith him, I trust we can put this incident behind us"

"Certainly,"as Nevare continues to write to es and pick up his to ain I have promised my brother, Nevare’s father, that I would watch over him as closely as I would my own soldier son I intend to keep that promise"

"As a man of honor, certainly you must" The words were correct, but there was still that odd flatness to his voice The colonel looked at me as if he’d just realized I was there "Dismissed, Cadet Lord Burvelle, would you care to join lass of wine before you depart?"

I had already turned to go whenback to the city Things are a bit unsettled at my home of late I shall walk Nevare back to his dormitory, I think, before I leave"

The colonel was silent for a few ht, Lord Burvelle I strongly recoainst this"

"Thank you for your concern, Colonel Stiet"

Andhe would take the colonel’s advice nor that he would ignore it It left the colonel little ht" And that he did, and my uncle returned it to him Then he joined me as I opened the door for hi in the foyer I walked ireeted him kindly and asked him how he had been of late Caulder responded with faultless courtesy and a s fury inmy uncle I deliberately held the door open forthe cold wind into Colonel Stiet’s foyer while they chatted When ht and precededand all it contained

I think my uncle sensed my upset, for he followed me carefully down the icy steps and then paused to wrap his scarf more closely around his neck "My wife’s family has close ties with Lord Stiet That is hoe know his brother, Colonel Stiet, and Caulder of course They have been guests in my home" He paused as if to letto say "The wind has a bite in it tonight," he observed "Shall we sit in e and talk for a bit?"

"I should like that, sir," I said, but then added, "If you do not think it would be too hard on your coachood point, young Nevare You show your father’s concern for folk of lesser station It is what made him such an excellent officer, and so beloved of his troops Gaser!" He raised his voice to call to the et too chilled, you e"

"Thanky, sir," the ratitude in his voice As alked away, I felt warmed, not just by my uncle’s praise, but that he had acted on my concern for his coachman My uncle took my aruess, where do you think our letters have gone astray?"

"I’m sure I’ve no idea, sir"

"Oh, lad, you don’t need to dissemble withdesk and broke the silly lock on it, I’d find them all neatly stacked there I don’t think even Daraleen would have the gall to destroy theht of some sort It would not be the first tihed "So Why don’t we cut to the heart of it, and you tell me what you think made her do it"