CHAPTER XXV.
STARTLING DISCOVERIES.
Breeze stared in amazement at Wolfe’s mother, and wondered what could possibly have affected her so greatly. Wolfe sprang to her side and helped her into a chair; while the squire, who had caught the golden ball as it was about to drop from his wife’s hand, now gazed at it as intently as though it were some charm that fascinated him.
“What is it, mother?” inquired Wolfe, anxiously.
“The Tresmont coat of arms,” she answered, faintly, “and the very locket my young lady gave to Mr. Tristram just after they were married. Oh, tell me, sir,” she said, turning to Breeze, “how did it come into your keeping? and what do you know of them it belonged to?”
“It has belonged to me,” answered Breeze, “since before I knew anything; for it was clasped about my neck when I was a baby, and picked up at sea floating in a cask.”
BREEZE STARED IN AMAZEMENT AT WOLFE’S MOTHER.
“Then,” exclaimed Wolfe’s mother, standing up in her excitement, “you must be the son of our own Mr. Tristram, and the heir to Tresmont! Don’t you see the likeness, husband? He is the very image of Mr. Tristram.”
Yes, the squire saw it, and had noticed it the very moment he set eyes on the young gentleman. Now it was plainer than ever to him. There were the same blue eyes, the same closely curling yellow hair, and the same tall straight figure. There could not be the slightest doubt of it.
Breeze was so bewildered by this wonderful turn of events, and by the tumult of conflicting emotions aroused by what he had just heard, that for a few moments he was speechless, and appeared like one in a dream. Finally finding his voice, he said to the squire,