“It is the truth, every word of it,” repeated Reginald Mortimer. “It is all yours, and it is a property worth having, I assure you. Your father, who was my brother, is dead, and so is your brother Frederick. I am your guardian, and stand ready to surrender your patrimony to you whenever you are competent to take charge of it. I assumed control of your father’s affairs immediately after his death. At that time you were eight years old and your brother nine. Fred died, and shortly afterward you were stolen away by some one, who, as I this morning learned from Sanders, who told me all about it, took you off to Missouri and left you there with one Jack Bowles. For eight years I made every effort to find you, and I have at last succeeded. I do not intend that you shall be separated from me any more.”
“Well,” said Julian, when his uncle paused.
“Well, that’s all.”
“All!” echoed the boy. “Am I to learn no more of my history than this brief outline? Do you not know who it was who stole me away?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea.”
“Or what he stole me away for?”
“Why, of course your property had something to do with it, but just what I can’t tell.”
Julian, who had settled into an easy position in his arm-chair with the expectation of hearing something exciting about himself, straightened up, and with an expression of great disappointment on his face, resumed his toast and coffee. He wanted to hear more, and he was satisfied from his uncle’s manner that he could tell him more if he felt so inclined; but it was plain that he did not, for his next words related to another subject.
“I hope you are now convinced that the fears to which you last night gave way were entirely groundless,” said Mr. Mortimer. “I shall endeavor by every means in my power to make your life here a pleasant one. I have been very lonely and I want you to cheer me. I want you to feel that you are one of the family, that you have a right to be here, and that you are at liberty to go and come whenever it suits your fancy. You shall have the best horse in the stable, a pack of hounds, a servant to wait on you, and live like a gentleman. There is a fort about two miles distant. Some of the officers have their families with them, and among them are several boys about your own age. Whenever you want company, bring them up here. They will find enough to interest them.”
“Perhaps they would also find some things they would not care to see,” said Julian, thinking of his recent adventure with the emigrant.