"Your mother! Are you sure?"
"Yes; I should know it anywhere, though it looks younger than she did."
"Do you know what her name was, before she was married?"
"Yes; she has told me often. It was Irene Bates."
"How strange!" exclaimed Richard and Fosdick together. "Mark," continued Richard, "I think you are the very boy I had been in search of for several months. I had succeeded without knowing it."
"Please tell me all about it," said Mark. "I don't understand."
"I have a great piece of good luck to announce to you, Mark. Your grandfather is a rich man, formerly in business in New York, but now a successful merchant in Milwaukie. He has no child, no descendant except yourself. He has been anxiously seeking for you, intending to give you all the advantages which his wealth can procure."
"Do you think I shall like him?" asked Mark, timidly.
"Yes; I think he will be very kind to you."