In the evening Robert went to the cave to have a farewell interview with the hermit—or Gilbert Huet, to give him the name which was properly his.
“You may write to me about once a week if you have anything to say, Robert,” said the hermit.
“How shall I direct you, sir? Shall I use your name?”
“How am I known in the village?”
“They call you ‘the hermit of the cliff.’”
“Then direct your letters to ‘The Hermit of the Cliff.’ They are not likely to go astray.”
Mr. Huet gave Robert his instructions and finally produced a roll of banknotes.
“You will find two hundred dollars in this roll, Robert,” he said. “You can buy a wallet to keep it in when you reach Boston.”
“Two hundred dollars!” exclaimed the boy in amazement.
“You won’t find it so large a sum as you suppose when you are required to pay traveling expenses. You need not try to be over-economical. I prefer that you should stop at good hotels and put on a good appearance. But I warn you to keep your mouth shut and tell your business to no one. I depend upon your discretion not to fall into the hands of knaves or adventurers. I know that I am putting unusual confidence in a boy of your limited experience, but I have no one else to trust, and I feel that you may be relied upon.”