“Didn’t give any name, sir.”

I went up to the court room. The man who wished to see me was standing near the door. I gave one look, paused to make sure that [I was not dreaming, and then rushed forward and threw myself into his arms.]

The new-comer was my father.

“Father!”

It was the only word I could utter; but how much it told!

“Reuben!” he replied.

“I thought you were dead,” I went on, after a long embrace. “Norton Bixby said so.”

“I have been very near to death,” my father answered. “You have heard how I fell from the top of a ravine to the bottom?”