He experienced a sense of delicacy, however, about giving expression to the thought, for he knew the gentleman to be both proud and sensitive, and he did not wish to wound him by assuming that he was unable to make the payment that had become due.
He stood awkwardly fingering the money and gazing absently down upon it as these thoughts flitted through his mind, and thinking, too, that it was somewhat singular that Mr. Knowles should have paid him in gold coin and of the very same denomination as he had given Edith less than forty-eight hours previous, and which had been the means of causing her such deep trouble.
Almost unconsciously, he turned the money over, his glance still riveted upon it.
As he did so he gave a violent start which caused his companion to regard him curiously.
"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, in vehement excitement, as he bent to examine the coin more closely, "this is the strangest thing that ever happened to me in all my experience!"
CHAPTER IV.
A MYSTERY EXPLAINED.
Mr. Knowles regarded his companion with undisguised astonishment.