"What, news from Hiram?" demanded the boy, his heart beating rapidly with the sudden excitement.
"That's it; and he says——" began the impulsive girl, when her mother's voice restrained her:
"Wait, and let Fred read the letter for himself, Kate; he will understand it much better, I am sure; for in your present condition I doubt whether you are capable of making anything clear."
Releasing herself from the arms of her smiling husband, she held out a crumpled sheet of paper to the eager Fred. He saw that there were only a few lines of writing on it, and that even this was done unevenly, as though the one who used the pen wrote under unfavorable conditions, perhaps on the edge of his bunk aboard a sailing vessel.
This was just what Fred read:
"On the way home by easy stages, and under an assumed name, so as not to arouse the suspicion of those who have kept me away. Determined to right a great wrong that has been done you. Willing to testify in your behalf. Be sure and keep secret, especially from the one you have to fear.
"You Know Who."
"Where is the envelope this came in, mother?" Fred asked the first thing; for he found nothing about the letter itself to indicate from what part of the world it might have come.
"I was very careful to keep it, Fred," Mrs. Fenton replied; "for I knew you would want to see it."
No sooner had Fred glanced hastily at the postmark than he whistled to indicate his astonishment.