e of its utility, by spreading
fertilization on each side of it, seeming to think: I may, by the
accidents of life, grow small and humble again; it is as well that I
should not quit the tiny course I have followed in my humble fortunes."

"And do you agree with him?" asked Dan, more amazed by the enthusiasm of
his companion than by the theme that suggested it.

"I do so in everything; I speak, of course, as one who knows nothing of
those ambitions by which wealthy men are encompassed; I am not in
the position of one who has seen and felt these fascinations, and who
emerges from his poverty to re-assume a former station. Take the case of
Mr. Curtis, for instance."

"What! old Curtis--Joe Curtis?" asked Dan, eagerly.

"Yes, Curtis, formerly of Meagh-valley. Well, if his claim be as good as
they suppose, he 'll not only inherit the great Wicklow estates, but the
Western property so long in Chancery."

MacNaghten saw that Raper was pouring forth this knowledge without being
conscious that he was making an important revelation, and gave a dry,
commonplace assent.

"Who can say what may not be his income?" exclaimed Raper, thoughtfully;
"twenty thousand a-year, at the least."

"And his prospects are good, you say,--his chances of success?"

"The marriage certificate of Noah Curtis and Eleanor Carew has been
discovered, sir, and if the will of Fownes Carew be authentic, the case,
I believe, is clear."

"What Carews were these?"

"The ancestors of Walter Carew, sir, whose estates now descend to the
heirs of the female branch."

"And Curtis will inherit these?"

The tone in which Dan uttered these words so startled Raper that he
suddenly recovered his self-possession, and remembered how unguardedly
he had related this mysterious piece of intelligence.

"When was this discovery made?--who chanced to trace this relationship
between Curtis and the Carew family?" cried MacNaghten, in intense
anxiety.

A signal from Raper suddenly suggested caution and reserve; but Dan, too
much excited to attend it, went on:

"Sir, never believe it! It is some infernal scheme concocted between
Fagan and the lawyers. They have put forward this wretched old man,
half-witted as he is--"

A hand grasped Dan's arm as he said this; he turned, and there stood
Curtis beside him!

"I 've heard you both!" said the old man, dryly. "To you, sir," said
he to Raper, "I owe my thanks for a piece of welcome news; to you,
MacNaghten, I feel gr