"All--with the exception that three nights ago I witnessed the meeting between your son and my child." "How did you discover where he lives?" "I followed him to this house, and learnt that it was yours." "You would have made a good detective, my man." "What I have done," said Seth simply, "has been prompted and guided by love." Mr. Temple, shading his face with his hand, was silent a little. He could not doubt the truth of Seth's statement, and his desire was to save his san from awkward consequences which might result from his imprudence. He raised his eyes, and said, in a hard tone: "Your price?" Seth Dumbrick stared at Mr. Temple, and his frame shook with agitation. "Your price," repeated Mr. Temple, "for those letters?" "Are you asking me," said Seth, resting his hand heavily on the table to obtain some control over his words, "to put a price upon my child's honour?" "I will have no insolent construction placed upon my question. You have heard it. Answer it." "It should have blistered your tongue," said Seth, with bitter emphasis, "to utter it. Is that answer sufficient?" "Quite," replied Mr. Temple, striking the bell with a fierceness he would have shown had it been human and his enemy. A servant entered. "Turn this person from the house," he said sternly. The servant stood before Seth Dumbrick, who knew that there was no appeal. But before he took his departure, he said sternly: "If Divine justice be not a delusion, you will live to repent this night. Into your home may come the desolation you would assist in bringing into mine." He had time to say no more' for at a peremptory gesture from Mr. Temple, the servant forced him from the room. Mr. Temple instantly touched the bell again, and another servant entered. "Is Richards in?" "Yes, sir." "Send him to me immediately." Almost on the instant, Richards made his appearance. A man of the same age as his master, tall and spare, with a manner so habitually watchful that, although he seldom looked a person in the face, not a movement or expression escaped his notice. "A man is now being shown out of the house," said Mr. Temple hurriedly, "whom you will follow to his home. Lose not a moment. Ascertain every particular relating to himself, his life, and his domestic history. You understand?" Richards nodded. He was a man not given to the wasting of speech. "This is a secret and confidential service," said Mr. Temple. "Breathe not a word concerning it to a soul but myself--understand, not to a soul but myself--not even to my son. Hasten now, or you may miss him." CHAPTER XXVII.