Nathan Gomer returned to his solicitor’s, and it was late at night before he saw his bed. The following morning, an application was made in the Court of Chancery in the case of Maybee, and an eloquent Counsel dwelt long and forcibly on the terrible punishment inflicted upon a man imprisoned for eighteen years, through an act of negligence on the part of his solicitor. The Lord Chancellor granted an order for the man to be produced in Court, and on the following day, wan, haggard, and sallow in the face, dirty and tattered in his attire, he was brought before the Lord Chancellor, in the custody of an officer of the Queen’s Prison. The Lord Chancellor interrogated him, and elicited much that excited great commiseration, and his discharge was ordered forthwith. The necessary legal forms having been complied with, Nathan Gomer conveyed him away from the prison, after settling all claims, and bore him--where Mr. Chewkle was likely to have much trouble to find him. Nathan had requested Mr. Chewkle to correspond with him at stated intervals, and inform him of the progress he had made in the mission he had undertaken--chiefly a collection of overdue bills. The agent duly kept his engagements, although Nathan Gomer began to have shrewd suspicions that he was keeping as well some of the proceeds. However, the postmarks upon his communications were evidence of his being far from London, and that served the purpose of his employer to perfection. Having made skilful and satisfactory arrangements in London, Nathan Gomer started from thence to Harleydale Manor, to have an interview with Wilton upon the new and important phase in his situation. He arrived at his destination at a remarkable moment. On reaching the manor-house, and entering the hall, he gave his name to the hall-keeper, and was informed that a servant had the moment previously ascended to the library to announce a gentleman who had followed him up. Nathan Gomer, with a light step, sprang up the stairs, and arrived at the library door as the servant, in a loud tone of voice, announced--“Mr. Mark Wilton.” For the moment he was astounded, but recovering himself, he raised his finger to the servant, who recognized him and would have announced him too. He glided behind a screen, and awaited the result of a meeting which he knew would prove of a peculiar kind. He had no conception of the scene enacting at the moment of Mark’s arrival, and he was to be surprised even yet more than he expected. Old Wilton, upon the name of his son being announced, started and staggered as if he had been smitten a violent blow; then he drew himself up erect. His flushed face became pale, and his brow remained contracted as sternly as before. Mark Wilton entered with a hasty step, and advanced rapidly to his father, with the intention of embracing him, but he paused upon observing the old man’s attitude and demeanour. He stretched out his hands. “Father!” he exclaimed, with emotion.