“Do not despair, Albert,” said his rather soothingly, “the time will come when all this must be made clear and apparent.”
“I hope it may, father,” said Albert, despondingly, “but I am very wretched.”
“It strikes me,” continued Mr. Seyton, “that we are not justified, Albert, in the course we are pursuing.”
“Indeed! Father.”
“No, Albert. What I advise is an immediate communication of the whole of the circumstances to the magistrate, Sir Frederick Hartleton. The fact that a mysterious packet was actually addressed to him, and set such a store by this man Gray, will be sufficient to interest him in the case.”
Albert remained in thought for a few moments, and then springing from his seat with energy, he exclaimed,—
“Yes, father, let us do so. There is hope in that. Sir Frederick Hartleton must have means of inquiry, and sources of information that no one but a person in his situation could have. Let us go at once.”
“You are wearied now, Albert.”
“No, no; I am never wearied in the cause of Ada.”
“Wait till you are invigorated; you can then tell your fate better, for in truth you must know a great deal more than I.”