"Therefore, you see, I never thought of what was due to Middleton, or anybody else. So just tell him all about it, but in strict confidence; for Claudia must not become the subject of gossip here, poor child!" "No, sir; certainly she must not. I will bind Mr. Middleton to secrecy before I tell him anything about it." "Yes, and--stop a moment! You had better just show him these letters. They will speak for themselves and save you the trouble. Tell him that we know no more than these letters reveal." "I will do so, Judge Merlin." "And now, Ishmael, I must return to my hotel, where I expect to meet my old friend, General Tourneysee. When do you start for St. Mary's?" "Within an hour from this." "Well, then, call at the hotel on your way and take leave of me." "I will do so." "Good-by, for the present," said the judge, shaking hands with his young friend. As soon as Judge Merlin had left the office Ishmael sank down into his chair and yielded up his mind to intense thought. It was true, then, the terrible presentiment of evil that had haunted his imagination in regard to Claudia was now realized! The dark storm cloud that his prophetic eye had seen lowering over her had now burst in ruin on her head! How strange! how unexplainable by human reason were these mysteries of the spirit! But Ishmael lost no time in fruitless speculations. He arose quickly and rang the bell. The professor answered it. "Morris, I wish you to go around to Bellingby's stables and ask them to send me a good, fresh horse, immediately, to go into the country. I shall want him for three days. Tell them to send me the brown horse, Jack, if he is not in use; but if he is, tell them to send the strongest and fastest horse they have." "Yes, sir," answered the professor, hurrying off. Ishmael went up to his chamber and packed his valise, and then returned to the office and summoned his first clerk, told him that he was going into the country immediately, for three days, and that after his return he should start for Europe, to be gone for a few weeks, and gave him instructions regarding the present conduct of the office business, and promised directions respecting the future administration of professional affairs when he should return from the country before starting for Europe. When he had got through his conference with his clerk, and the latter had left the private office, the professor, who had come back and was waiting his turn, entered. "Well, Morris?" "Well, sir, the brown horse will be here as soon as he is fed, and watered, and saddled, and bridled. He is in good condition, sir, and quite fresh, as he hasn't been in use for two days, sir." "All right, professor, sit down; I have something to tell you."