"I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Underwood," he responded, pleasantly, but with a shade of reserve in
his manner; "I remember you very well, indeed, and probably yours is about the only face I will be able to recall."
For a moment Mr. Underwood seemed staggered, unable to comprehend the meaning of the other's words.
The young man continued: "I understand Mr. Britton is stopping with you; is he still here, or has he left?"
"He is here," Mr. Underwood replied; "but, good God! Darrell, what does this mean?"
Before the other could reply Mr. Britton, who was in an adjoining room and had overheard the colloquy, came quickly forward. He gave a swift, penetrating glance into the young man's face, then, turning to Mr. Underwood, said,—
"It means, David, that our young friend has come to his own again. He is no longer of our world or of us."
Then turning to the young man, he said, "I am John Britton; do you wish to see me?"
The other looked earnestly into the face of the speaker, and his own features betrayed emotion as he replied,—
"I do; I must see you on especially important business."