"A short time ago," said the professor, "I received a letter from an old friend who knows a great deal of my business affairs. He is a business man, and I have been glad to entrust him with the management of various investments. In this manner he knew something of the investment of the money which was yours. He knew more of Richard's methods than Richard was aware of. He had heard rumors of the Westoria land scheme, and had accidentally, in the transaction of his business, made some discoveries. He asked me if I knew the extent to which your fortune had been speculated with. Knowing a few facts, he was able to guess at others"-- Bertha lifted her face from her hands. "My money!" she exclaimed. "My fortune!" "He had speculated with it at various times, sometimes gaining, sometimes losing; the Westoria affair seems to have dazzled him--and he invested largely"-- Bertha rose from her chair. "It was Philip Tredennis' money he invested," she said. "Philip Tredennis"-- "It was not Philip's money," the professor answered; "that I have discovered. But it was Philip's generosity which would have made it appear so. In this letter--written just before he sailed--Richard has admitted the truth to me--finding what proof I had against him." Bertha lifted her hands and let them fall at her sides. "Papa," she said, "I do not understand this--I do not understand. Philip Tredennis! He gave money to Richard! Richard accepted money from him--to shield himself, to--This is too much for me!" "Philip had intended the money for Janey," said the professor, "and when he understood how Richard had involved himself, and how his difficulties would affect you and your future, he made a most remarkable offer: he offered to assume the responsibility of Richard's losses. He did not intend that you should know what he had done. Such a thing would only have been possible for Philip Tredennis, and it was because I knew him so well, that, when I heard that it was his money that had been risked in the Westoria lands, I felt that something was wrong. He was very reticent, and that added to my suspicions. Then I made the discoveries through my friend, and my accusations of Richard forced him to admit the truth." "The truth!" said Bertha,--"that _I_ was to live upon Philip Tredennis' money; that, having been ruined by my husband, I was to be supported by Philip Tredennis' bounty!" "Richard was in despair," said the professor, "and in his extremity he forgot"-- "He forgot _me_!" said Bertha. "Yes, he forgot--a great many things." "It has seemed always to be Philip who has remembered," said the professor, sadly. "Philip has been generous and thoughtful for us from first to last." Bertha's hand closed itself. "Yes," she cried; "always Philip--always Philip!" "What could have been finer and more delicate than his care and planning for you in this trouble of the last few days, to which I have been so blind!" said the professor.