“No, sir. I do not intend to teach again--at any rate, for some years.”

“Are you going to leave Portville?”

“Yes, sir; but before I go I have some business which I should like to settle with you.”

“Business--to settle with me!” repeated General Wall, in surprise.

“Yes, sir; to begin with, I have a confession to make.”

General Wall looked suspicious. What was it that Walter was intending to confess? Was he a thief, or had he violated the laws any way? He was completely mystified.

“Proceed, Mr. Howard,” he said. “I can’t say that I apprehend your meaning.”

“In the first place, then, I have no claim to the name by which you called me.”

“Is not your name Howard?”

“No, sir.”