"I have not come to add my testimony to hers," said Solomon Fewster, with a well-assumed warmth of manner. "It is no testimony of mine; it is no accusation of mine. This letter surprised and grieved me almost as much as it has you."
"May I see the letter, sir?"
"Certainly." He had almost said "with pleasure," but checked himself in time.
Dan took the letter, which was written an an uneven and dirty piece of paper, and read aloud:--
"Master,--Joshua Marvel has run away with a young woman that lives in Daniel Taylor's house--him as trains the birds. They are both of 'em on board the 'Merry Andrew.' I send this by the pilot, and told him that you would pay him for putting it into your hands. My faithful service to you. When I come back, I hope to get what you promised me.
"Aboard the 'Merry Andrew.'"
"There is no name to it," said Dan. "Who sent it?"
"A sailor on the ship," replied Solomon Fewster; "a man who has done odd jobs for me, and whom I have assisted."
"But how does he know me?"
"Through the birds, and through my telling him of you, I suppose. He has been in the street often, and knows who live in the house. He is a faithful honest fellow, and I dare say thought it his duty to tell me about Miss Kindred, so that I might acquaint her friends."