"Eben Jackson, I'll make you pay that money if it costs me five thousand dollars for expenses."
"Ridiculous! Why, you are almost a pauper."
"I hope not. When I left Colorado I was worth nearly a hundred thousand dollars. I don't think I have lost any money since."
"Is this true?" gasped Jackson.
"It is. You thought me poor, because I was poorly dressed. You were mistaken. I am what is called a rich man. I am unmarried, but after the way you have treated me, you can judge what chances you have of being remembered in my will."
"It is all a mistake, Cousin Giles," said Eben, in a conciliatory tone. "I'll pay the money, and I hope you and Uncle John will do me the favor of staying at my house while you are in Rochester."
Giles Packard smiled grimly.
"We shall start for New York to-morrow," he said, "and it won't be advisable for us to leave the hotel. I shall leave the note in Mr. Nettleton's hands, and I will give you a month in which to pay it."
"Thank you. Won't you call at the house? Mary will be glad to see you, and I want to show you the children."
"Yes, we will call."