A deep groan was the only answer.
"Can I serve you in any way, sir? You know that I am devoted to your interests."
"Yes, Ishmael, yes. I know that you are the most faithful of friends, as well as the most accomplished of counselors. It is in both characters, my dear boy, that you are wanted to-day."
"Instruct me, sir. Command me. I am entirely at your disposal."
"Even to the extent of going to Europe with me?"
Ishmael hesitated; but only because he was utterly unprepared for the proposal; and then he answered:
"Yes, sir; if it should appear to be really necessary to your interests."
"Oh, Ishmael! I am an old and world-worn man, and I have had much experience; but, indeed, I know not how to break to you the news I have to bring!" groaned the judge.
"If there is any man in the world you can confide in it is surely myself, your friend and your attorney."
"I feel sure of that, Ishmael, quite sure of that. Well, I do not see any better way of putting you in possession of the facts than by letting you read these letters. When you have read them all, you will know as much as I do," said the judge, as he drew from his pocket a parcel of papers and looked over them. "There, read that first," he continued, placing one in Ishmael's hand.