Jack hardly heard the latter words, for his head was in a swim. This crafty-looking, overbearing individual his parent? The shock was an awful one. He turned to his foster mother. "Mother, is this true--is this man my real father?" he cried beseechingly. "So he claims," returned Mrs. Ruthven. "My dear, dear son, I trust you do not disbelieve me," said the doctor, in an apparently hurt tone of voice. "I--I don't know what to say," faltered Jack. "This is so strange--so unexpected. Why didn't you come here before?" "I have just been telling Mrs. Ruthven my story," and the surgeon repeated what he had said, with several added details. As the man went on our hero's face grew very pale, and he moved slowly towards Mrs. Ruthven and clutched her by the shoulder. "Mother, I don't want to leave you!" he whispered hoarsely. "I don't like this man, even if he is my father!" "I do not want you to leave me, Jack," she answered, embracing him in spite of the fact that he was dripping wet. "But if this man is really your father----" "Make him prove it!" "You will not take his word?" "No! no! I do not like his looks. He is the man who met me on the bridge and treated me like a slave." Marion had listened to the conversation with a look of horror slowly rising on her face. Now she rushed toward Jack. "Jack, can this be true, and must I give you up?" she sobbed. "No, I'm not going to give you up, Marion. We have always been brother and sister, and so we shall remain--if you are willing." "Yes, dear Jack; stay by all means." By this time Dr. Mackey had arisen to his feet, and now he came up to Jack with a darkening face. "Did I understand you to say that you wished me to prove I was your father?" he demanded harshly. "Yes, I do wish you to prove it," answered Jack, with a boldness born of desperation. "And until you prove it I shall remain here--if Mrs. Ruthven will let me." "By golly, dat's de talk!" came from Old Ben, who was hanging around on the veranda. "Shut up, you worthless nigger!" cried the doctor, at which Ben disappeared like magic. "This is a very--ahem--a very strange way to treat a newly found father, Jack." "I don't acknowledge you as my father." "Ha! you won't believe me?" "I will not, sir, and until you prove your claim in court I shall remain with the lady who has been a real mother to me," answered our hero pointedly and firmly. CHAPTER XIV. JACK SPEAKS HIS MIND. A dead silence followed our hero's declaration to remain with Mrs. Ruthven until Dr. Mackey had proved his claim to Jack in a court of law. "This is a fine way to talk!" ejaculated the surgeon at last. "A fine way, truly!" "I mean what I say!" declared Jack. "Mother, am I right or wrong?" And he turned pleadingly to Mrs. Ruthven.