"I went to Sea Spray and was given the charge of a young boy, boarding at the Spray Hotel, by his father. I lost the place through the same Percy Dixon who wrote to you."
"How was that?"
"He informed the boy's aunt, in the absence of his father at Chicago, that I was only a pauper, and Miss Maria Holbrook discharged me at once."
"Do you think Mr. Holbrook would have discharged you?"
"I don't think so, for the boy was very fond of me."
"So am I, Jed," said Mr. Roper affectionately, "and I shall not allow young Dixon to separate us."
"Thank you, Mr. Roper," replied Jed gratefully.
"As to your history, you ought to know more of it. When we leave Bar Harbor I will let you go back to Scranton and obtain from the Averys all the information you can. You may get a clew that may lead to a discovery of your parentage."
"I hope so," answered Jed. "I don't like to feel that I have no relations."
"Meanwhile you may take this letter of your friend Percy's and answer it as you see fit."