CHAPTER XL.
ALAN’S FORTUNE.
It was a happy family party that gathered around the humble fireside of Solomon Bertram the day following the occurrences described in the last chapter.
Will Bertram never forgot the tearful, delighted welcome he received when his father and mother folded him in their arms with grateful hearts as one from the dead.
Willis and Tom and Hugo were also there, and, when the first raptures of welcome had subsided, the boys retired to a corner and talked over their past adventures, while the older people discussed the more momentous issues of the hour.
It was towards evening when an interruption to the harmony of the happy reunion occurred.
A knock at the door was followed by the entrance of a man the Bertrams knew very well.
It was Captain Morris’ lawyer, Mr. Rowe. He nodded to the occupants of the room and then addressed himself to Mr. Bertram.
“I wished to see you privately, Mr. Bertram,” he said.
“You can speak out,” replied Will’s father. “It’s about the mortgage, I suppose?”