"Ha! who told you that?"
"You were connected with a medical company there which was put out of business by the post office authorities because of using the mails fraudulently."
At this assertion Dr. Mackey fell back as if shot.
"Jack, I demand to know who has told you this?"
"You are a bachelor, and were never married to my mother or to any other lady."
"I demand to know who told you this—this—string of falsehoods!" cried the doctor, catching our hero by the arm.
"A part of the story came from Mrs. Ruthven's nephew."
"What, St. John Ruthven? I hardly know the fellow."
"No, another nephew, Dr. Harry Powell, who is now attached to the Yankee army. He hails from Philadelphia."
"That viper!" ejaculated the medical man, then tried to check himself. "I—er—that is, I know Powell distantly. But he is much mistaken."