s
for what he called my kind intentions, and especially for my expressions
of regard for his late father, who, he said, had been worthy of my
highest esteem."

"He's a strange character;--but how did you manage to get a letter
conveyed to him?" asked Mr Blurt.

"Through Mrs Bones. You are aware, I think, that a considerable time
ago I set a detective to find out his whereabouts--"

"How strange! So did I," said Mr Blurt.

"Indeed!" exclaimed Sir James. "Well, this man happened by a strange
coincidence to be engaged in unravelling a mystery about a lost little
dog, which after many failures led him to the discovery of Abel Bones as
being a burglar who was wanted. Poor Bones happened at the time of his
visit to be called before a higher tribunal. He was dying. Aspel was
at his bedside, and the detective easily recognised him as the youth of
whom he had been so long in search. I sent my letter by the detective
to Mrs Bones, who gave it to Aspel. His reply came, of course, through
the ordinary channel--the post."

"And what do you now propose doing?" asked Mr Blurt.

"I think of going to see Philip Maylands, who, I am given to understand
by Miss Lillycrop, was once an intimate friend of Aspel. Do you happen
to know his address?"

"Yes, he lives with his mother now, but it's of no use your going to his
home to-night. You are aware that this is Christmas eve, and all the
officials of the Post-Office will be unusually busy. They often work
night and day at this season."

"Then I will go direct to the General Post-Office. Perhaps I shall be
able to exchange a few words with him there," said Sir James, rising.

At that moment there burst upon the ears of the visitor a peculiar
squall, which seemed to call forth a bland and beaming smile on the glad
countenance of Mr Blurt. Sir James looked at him inquiringly.

"My babe, Sir James," said Mr Blurt, with ill-concealed pride; "since
last I had the pleasure of seeing you I have been married. Ah! Sir
James, `it is not good for man to be alone.' That is a truth with which
I was but feebly impressed until I came to understand the blessedness of
the wedded state. Words cannot--"

He was cut short by a sudden crash of something overhead, and a bump,
followed by a squall of unwonted vehemence. The squall was simultaneous
with the ringing of a handbell, and was followed by the cry of a soft
entreating voice roused to excitation.

"Oh! Nockie dear"--thus the