"There are some letters in one of the pockets, and the last one I received is there, telling me to come back, and what I was to do. But don't read that aloud," he said, smiling, as he fixed his eyes meaningly upon Gertrude's, making her lower her lids and turn scarlet, while Saul, who missed nothing, ground his teeth. "Private, that letter is, gentlemen, please." "Yes, yes, yes," said the doctor, nodding pleasantly at Gertrude; who felt at the moment as if she would have given anything to have had with her an elderly woman friend. "All very satisfactory, Mr George Harrington," said the old lawyer gravely; "but, unpleasant as it may seem, we must go a little further, please." "Come," said the young man, smiling, "you acknowledge me as George Harrington, then?" "A _lapsus lingua_--a mere slip of the tongue. Now, sir, can you give us any other proof. Have you brought any letters of introduction from well-known people in the States?" "I have brought you a letter of introduction from my grandfather, gentlemen--several." "Yes, yes. Quite right. But any others?" "Good Heavens, gentlemen, I have been for months hunting in the wildest parts of the North West, fighting bears; always on the watch to save myself from Indians; and when at last I got your letter at Laramie City, I came home. Letters from people in the States! Why, I never thought of such a thing." "No, he would not," said the doctor quietly. "By the way, gentlemen, as I am to come into some property now, I ought to make a will." "A most wise proceeding, sir," assented the old lawyer. "Then will you two gentlemen agree to be my executors?" "Really, sir, I--" "Because no man could have a more careful pair." "You are complimentary, sir. Doctor Lawrence and I are only doing our duty." "Of course, of course. Well, gentlemen, I've shown you my grandfather's letters, etcetera, and I am George Harrington. That's all I have got to say." "But--you'll excuse me. We are rather awkwardly placed. We ought to have some other proof of your identity. My dear Miss Gertrude, have we any of Mr George Harrington's letters?" "I think there are some among my guardian's papers." "Stop a moment--I forgot. Here's my watch, with my initials engraved upon the case, and to be sure--why, what a dunderhead I am!" Saul, who had been undergoing a torture of change--doubt and hope-- watched the young man's actions as he passed his hands behind his neck, and for a few moments seemed to be trying to unfasten something. "That's it," he said, as he undid the clasp of a thin gold chain, and drew out chain and locket, both gold, and pressing a spring at either end, the locket flew open back and front, to display two daguerreotype heads. "Know them Mr--Mr--" "Hampton," said the old lawyer, taking the locket, and examining it carefully, and looking long at the two faces before handing them to Doctor Lawrence. "What do you say to those?"