uld
wish in any case."

"If you want I should," replied Mr. Harum. "Would you want to give full
power attorney, or jest have me say 't I was instructed to act for ye?"

"I think a better way would be to put the property in your name
altogether," said John. "Don't you think so?"

"Wa'al," said David, thoughtfully, after a moment, "I hadn't thought of
that, but mebbe I _could_ handle the matter better if you was to do
that. I know the parties, an' if the' was any bluffin' to be done either
side, mebbe it would be better if they thought I was playin' my own
hand."

At that point Peleg appeared and asked Mr. Lenox a question which took
the latter to the teller's counter. David sat for some time drumming on
his desk with the fingers of both hands. A succession of violent coughs
came from the front room. His mouth and brows contracted in a wince, and
rising, he put on his coat and hat and went slowly out of the bank.

CHAPTER XLV.

The Vaterland was advertised to sail at one o'clock, and it wanted but
fifteen or twenty minutes of the hour. After assuring himself that his
belongings were all together in his state-room, John made his way to the
upper deck and leaning against the rail, watched the bustle of
embarkation, somewhat interested in the people standing about, among
whom it was difficult in instances to distinguish the passengers from
those who were present to say farewell. Near him at the moment were two
people, apparently man and wife, of middle age and rather distinguished
appearance, to whom presently approached, with some evidence of hurry
and with outstretched hand, a very well dressed and pleasant looking
man.

"Ah, here you are, Mrs. Ruggles," John heard him say as he shook hands.

Then followed some commonplaces of good wishes and farewells, and in
reply to a question which John did not catch, he heard the lady
addressed as Mrs. Ruggles say, "Oh, didn't you see her? We left her on
the lower deck a few minutes ago. Ah, here she comes."

The man turned and advanced a step to meet the person in question.
John's eyes involuntarily followed the movement, and as he saw her
approach his heart contracted sharply: it was Mary Blake. He turned
away quickly, and as the collar of his ulster was about his face, for
the air of the January day was very keen, he thought that she had not
recognized him. A moment later he went aft around the deck-house, and
going forward to the smoking-room, seated himself the