his biding.

"My nephew arrived!" exclaimed Mr. Wharton, in surprise. "Why, he never
let me know he was coming."

"Will you see him, sir?"

"To be sure! Bring him in at once."

"My dear uncle!" exclaimed John Wade, with effusion, for he was a polite
man, and could act when it suited his interests to do so, "I am glad to
see you. How is your health?"

"I am getting older every day, John."

"You don't look a day older, sir," said John, who did not believe what
he said, for he could plainly see that his uncle had grown older since
he last saw him.

"You think so, John, but I feel it. Your coming is a surprise. You did
not write that you intended sailing."

"I formed the determination very suddenly, sir."

"Were you tired of Europe?"

"No; but I wanted to see you, sir."

"Thank you, John," said his uncle, pressing his nephew's hand. "I am
glad you think so much of me. Did you have a pleasant voyage?"

"Rather rough, sir."

"You have had no supper, of course? If you will ring the bell, the
housekeeper will see that some is got ready for you."

"Is Mrs. Bradley still in your employ, uncle?"

"Yes, John. I am so used to her that I shouldn't know how to get along
without her."

Hitherto John Wade had been so occupied with his uncle that he had not
observed Frank. But at this moment our hero coughed, involuntarily, and
John Wade looked at him. He seemed to be singularly affected. He started
perceptibly, and his sallow face blanched, as his eager eyes were fixed
on the boy's face.

"Good heavens!" he muttered to himself. "Who is that boy? How comes he
here?"

Frank noticed his intent gaze, and wondered at it, but Mr. Wharton's
eyesight was defective, and he did not perceive his nephew's excitement.

"I see you have a young visitor, uncle," said John Wade.

"Oh, yes," said Mr. Wharton, with a kindly smile. "He spends all his
evenings with me."

"What do you mean, sir?" demanded John Wade, with sudden suspicion and
fear. "He seems very young company for----"

"For a man of my years," said Mr. Wharton, finishing the sentence. "You
are right, John. But, you see, my eyes are weak, and I cannot use them
for reading in the evening, so it occurred to me to engage a reader."

"Very true," said his nephew. He wished to inquire the name of the boy
whose appearance had so powerfully impressed him but he determined not
to do so at present. What information he sought he preferred to obtain
from the housekeeper.