"You may be surprised that I have learned your address. Lately I fell in with a stranger from the East, who spoke of you and gave me the information I desired. I trust this letter will be received and that you will feel like acting upon it. I shall die easy if I am able, even at this late day, to make some atonement for my wrong-doing.
"Yours respectfully,
"Thomas Nixon."
Gerald read this letter with interest, but could not understand how it could bear any relation to him.
"What do you think of it, Gerald?" asked Mr. Nugent.
"The man seems truly penitent," answered Gerald.
"You think, then, that it seems sincere and truthful? You would be likely to put confidence in it?"
"Yes, sir."
"I remember this man Nixon; he was a trusted clerk in our bank when I was a merchant in New York. We all felt amazed when he turned out a thief; he had no bad habits or extravagant tastes so far as any of us knew."
"Did you put the police on his track?"