I retired early to bed, and did not wake until late the next morning. When I rang the bell, the chambermaid brought in my clothes from the tailor's: I dressed, and I will not deny that I was pleased with the alteration. After breakfast I ordered a coach, and drove to No. 16, Throgmorton Court, Minories. The house was dirty outside, and the windows had not been cleaned apparently for years, and it was with some difficulty when I went in that I could decipher a tall, haggard-looking man seated at the desk. "Your pleasure, sir?" said he. "Am I speaking to the principal?" replied I. "Yes, sir, my name is Chatfield." "I come to you, sir, relative to an advertisement which appeared in the papers. I refer to this," continued I, putting the newspaper down on the desk, and pointing to the advertisement. "Oh, yes, very true: can you give us any information?" "Yes, sir, I can, and the most satisfactory." "Then, sir, I am sorry that you have had so much trouble, but you must call at Lincoln's Inn upon a lawyer of the name of Masterton: the whole affair is now in his hands." "Can you, sir, inform me who is the party that is inquiring after this young man?" "Why, yes; it is a General De Benyon, who has lately returned from the East Indies." "Good God! is it possible!" thought I; "how strange that my own wild fancy should have settled upon him as my father!" I hurried away, threw myself into the hackney-coach, and desired the man to drive to Lincoln's Inn. I hastened up to Mr Masterton's rooms: he was fortunately at home, although he stood at the table with his hat and his great coat on, ready to go out. "My dear sir, have you forgotten me?" said I, in a voice choked with emotion, taking his hand and squeezing it with rapture. "By heavens, you are determined that I shall not forget you for some minutes, at least," exclaimed he, wringing his hand with pain. "Who the devil are you?" Mr Masterton could not see without his spectacles, and my subdued voice he had not recognised. He pulled them out, as I made no reply, and fixing them across his nose--"Hah! why yes--it is Japhet, is it not?" "It is indeed, sir," said I, again offering my hand, which he shook warmly. "Not quite so hard, my dear fellow, this time," said the old lawyer; "I acknowledge your vigour, and that is sufficient. I am very glad to see you, Japhet, I am indeed--you--you scamp--you ungrateful fellow. Sit down--sit down--first help me off with my great coat: I presume the advertisement has brought you into existence again. Well, it's all true; and you have at last found your father, or, rather, he has found you. And what's more strange, you hit upon the right person; that is strange--very strange indeed." "Where is he, sir?" interrupted I, "where is he--take me to him." "No, rather be excused," replied Mr Masterton, "for he is gone to Ireland, so you must wait." "Wait, sir, oh no--I must follow him."