"He wanted to put the money away until his granddaughter came of age. If we had that letter you would learn that was the reason of his strange trust in you. He was preparing against all contingencies. He was evidently a very shrewd man; he desired to cover all trace for twenty years."
"He succeeded, and so well that by the loss of that letter I have deprived his granddaughter of her fortune."
"It is even so—yes, this accounts for his strange deposit, and it was a cunning one. His only risk was your honesty, and it is evident from your interview with him that he knew what he was about when he made you the depository."
"He certainly had great confidence in my honor."
"And your care and prudence."
"Yes, and in the latter I have failed."
"We can yet rectify your mistake."
"Do so and you will earn a fortune for yourself."
CHAPTER VIII.
JACK'S FORESIGHT—A SECOND VISIT TO OLD BERWICK—THE PORTRAIT—OTHER SIGNIFICANT DISCOVERIES—"ALAS! THE LETTER!"—A STREET CAR INCIDENT—"I WILL FIND THAT LETTER."