"It is needless to say that I could not have anticipated such extraordinary luck for Benjamin, and that I am glad he followed his own counsel and remained in the city. Doubtless a better fortune awaits him than the life of a farmer, which, though independent, is laborious. I only write now to congratulate you upon his success, and to express my interest in him. Though you will no doubt miss him, I think you will be able to see that he has done the best thing for himself and for you in the engagement which he has made with Major Grafton. He would have dined at my house to-morrow, but for his sudden departure. "I inclose my next month's allowance a little in advance. "Your affectionate brother, "NICHOLAS WALTON." Mrs. Baker was surprised and gratified on receiving this unusually long letter from her brother Nicholas. She had been wounded at the cool reception which he had accorded to Ben, as detailed in the letter of the latter, but this letter put a new face on the matter. "After all, Nicholas feels an interest in Ben," she said to herself, "and no doubt he acted for what he thought the best in the advice he gave him to remain in Sunderland and become a farmer. He acknowledges his mistake very handsomely." So upon the spur of the moment she wrote her brother a letter, acknowledging gratefully his kindness to her boy, and asking for a continuance of it. This letter was received by Mr. Walton with satisfaction. It made it easier for him to feel that he had not, after all, wronged his sister and her family as much as his conscience sometimes reproached him with. "Would that I could lose all the memories of that dreadful hour!" he said to himself, with a shudder. But he did not find that so very easy. It was destined to be recalled to him in a startling manner within a week. As he sat in his office the following Thursday, a clerk entered. "Mr. Walton," he said, "there is a foreign gentleman in the store who wishes to see you." "Is it a stranger?" "Yes, sir." "He wishes to see me on business, doubtless. You may bring him in." The visitor entered--a man of medium size and swarthy complexion--who would be taken at first sight for a Spaniard or a Portuguese. Nicholas Walton regarded him with a look of inquiry. "Do I speak to Mr. Walton?" asked the stranger, in good English, but with a foreign accent. "I am Mr. Walton," answered the merchant. "You are brother-in-law to Mr.--I beg pardon, Doctor Baker?" "Ye-es," answered the merchant, with a startled look. "Can you tell me if the good doctor is well?" "He is--dead!" replied Walton, slowly. "Did you know him?" "I much regret to hear of his death. I did not know him, but I met him once." "This must be the man who gave him the bonds," thought Walton, trying to conceal his perturbation. "The moment and the man I have so long dreaded have arrived. Now, Nicholas Walton, you require all your coolness and nerve."