"I don't believe you," said Harry. "I am certain that you did not buy my houses. There was no one left to care for my interests, and you took those houses."
"This is the reward," said Bunker, "for nussin' of this child for nigh upon three years. Who would take an orphan into his bosom? But it was right, and I'd do it again. Yes. I'd do it again."
"I don't doubt you," the ungrateful nephew replied, "especially if that other orphan had three substantial houses, and there was nobody but yourself to look after him."
"As for your proofs, go and look for them. When you've found 'em, bring 'em to me—you and your proofs."
Harry laughed.
"I shall find them," he said; "but I don't know where or when. Meantime you will go on as you do now—thinking continually that they may be found. You won't be able to sleep at night—you will dream of police courts. You will let your thoughts run on handcuffs—you will take to drink. You will have no pleasure in your life. You will hasten your end; you will——" Here he desisted; for his uncle (dropping into his chair) looked as if he was about to swoon.
"Remember, I shall find these proofs some day. A hundred a year, for twenty years, is two thousand pounds. That's a large sum to hand over; and then, there is the interest. Upon my word, my uncle, you will have to begin the world again."
CHAPTER XXXIII. MR. BUNKER'S LETTER.
Two days after this Angela received a wonderful letter. It was addressed to Miss Messenger, and was signed Benjamin Bunker. It ran as follows: