As he spoke he removed the cover and the beautiful face of the old man's dead daughter was revealed as pictured upon the canvas. It was a beautiful painting, and the resemblance to the living girl who gazed upon the face was marvelous. She did not speak—she could not speak. She just gazed with all her eyes.
"This is something I did not promise to find," said Ike; "but it is the proof that Mr. Sidney is your uncle. This is a portrait of his——"
Ike stopped short, and the girl gasped:
"Go on. Of whom?"
"Mr. Sidney's daughter—your cousin—the daughter whose place in his affections you are to supply; for she is dead, and that is why he lives the life which led people to believe that he was a miser. He is not a miser, but a kind, generous, liberal man, and in finding your uncle for you I have found one whom you can and will love."
Sara appeared to be completely overcome with astonishment.
"I do not understand it," she said.
Ike had told the story of the robbery. He proceeded and told the previous history of Mr. Sidney, and when he had concluded he said:
"It's all very strange and wonderful. Indeed, mysterious are the ways of Providence, but the most remarkable feature of this whole series of incidents, Miss Sidney, is the fact that the portending dénouement was all brought about through two very mean and contemptible robberies. But all's well that ends well, as I've often had occasion to say in the past, and I wish you to meet your uncle."