“Would you like to hear what your uncle has to say regarding the matter?” “It won’t make any difference to us, sir; we won’t go to him.” “What I mean is, would you like to hear the letter read which I have just received from him?” “Does he say I’ve got to go where he lives?” “Listen while I read, bearing in mind that I wrote the day after leaving the station, explaining how you were situated, and asking if he believed it was best to take you from those who were willing to assume all charge. The letter has just been received, and you shall hear it: ‘I am in receipt of your favor of the 4th, and it pleases me to learn that my nephew, for I have no doubt as to his being my brother’s son, has found such good friends. I am not really in a position to give a young boy that care which he should have, and would never have written asking that he be sent on, but that I deemed it my duty. I am an old man, living alone with servants, and of such a disposition that even my only brother could not agree with me. If the boy is comfortable and happy, and I can be assured the life savers will give him proper care, he shall receive from me the sum of two hundred dollars each year in quarterly payments, dependent only upon his writing me a truthful account of his situation at least once every twelve months, but not oftener. In case you are willing to burden yourself with the transaction of the business, I shall be glad to leave everything in your hands, agreeing to do in the premises whatever you may believe to be right, providing I am not called upon for more than I have stated herein.’ That is the letter, Benny, exactly as he wrote it, and I have read every word.” No. 8 stood with the receiver pressed tightly to his ear, a look of perplexity on his face, and after a long pause asked hesitatingly: “Didn’t he say anything more, sir?” “I can’t see but that he has covered the subject fully, my boy.” “But does he still think I must go where he lives?” Benny could hear Mr. Bradford laughing, and he wondered why the gentleman should have thought there was anything comical in a question so important to him. “Are any of the crew within call?” Mr. Bradford asked at length. “I think Mr. Hardy is in the oil-room, sir.” “Tell him I am at the ’phone.” Sam was coming toward the station when Benny opened the door, and on being told who desired to speak with him, he hurried forward, an expression of anxiety appearing on his face. There was a decided change in his countenance five minutes later, and then he dropped the receiver very suddenly to grasp Benny’s hands. “It’s all right, No. 8! The whole matter is settled in great shape, an’ I’m beginnin’ to think Andrew Foster is a decent sort of an old fogy after all.” “Am I to stay here?” Benny cried, trembling violently because of the prolonged suspense. “That’s exactly what you are to do, my boy, and your uncle will pay two hundred dollars a year towards puttin’ you through school in proper shape.”