They rode along in silence for a few minutes. Then Abner Holden, thinking suddenly of the envelope which Dr. Kent had placed in Herbert's hand at parting, and feeling curious as to its contents, asked:
“What did the doctor give you just as you were starting?”
“It was an envelope.”
“I know that; but what was there in it?”
“I haven't looked,” said our hero.
He felt a little satisfaction in snubbing Mr. Holden, whom he saw he would never like.
“Why don't you open it?”
“I didn't think of it before.”
“I suppose there is some present inside.”
Herbert decided to open the envelope, out of respect for Dr. Kent. On opening it, he drew out a five-dollar bill, and a few penciled words, which were as follows: