This was done at once, John Fox meanwhile sitting in painful suspense.
“This letter,” said Mr. Howard, taking it in his hand, “was posted, as you see, at Melbourne, Australia. Harry was shipwrecked on an island, from which he finally escaped, and was carried to Melbourne. He writes me that he has gone to the mines, and is hoping to find some gold there.”
“Is this true?” asked Fox, in a hollow voice.
“I will read you the letter, and show you the signature.”
“I think it’s a forgery.”
“No chance of that. I know Harry Vane’s handwriting well. But you don’t look well, Mr. Fox. I thought you would be pleased to hear that Harry had escaped from the perils of shipwreck and is alive.”
John Fox did not reply, but after examining the letter he rose with a rueful countenance, and departed unceremoniously, a badly disappointed man.
“It’ll cost me three dollars to get back,” he groaned, “and I shall have to stop at a hotel, for there is no train till to-morrow. ’Most ten dollars gone altogether—just thrown away! I’m a very unlucky man.”
The news he carried home brought grief to Mrs. Fox and Joel. Only Sally seemed glad that Harry was still living. For so expressing herself she was severely rebuked by her mother.