"I hope he will never suffer as I have done," said the sick man.
"You have a more Christian spirit than I, John. I think it only right that he should suffer for the wrong he has done you. Well, good-by. Let me hear from you, and if Bert makes any further progress in his mission, I will apprise you and Mary."
Uncle Jacob left the village without being seen by Albert Marlowe or Percy, who alone were likely to recognize him. But it leaked out that Mrs. Barton had a boarder, Percy being the first to hear of it.
"What do you think, papa?" he said one day. "Bert Barton's mother has taken a boarder from the city."
"A boarder from the city?" repeated Squire Marlowe, surprised.
"Yes."
"What brought him to Lakeville?"
"I don't know. I can tell you who brought him here."
"Uncle Jacob."