may be able to help you in your search. But let
me advise you to tell no one else at present. No doubt there are parties
interested in keeping the secret of your birth from you. You must move
cautiously, and your chance of solving the mystery will be improved."

"Thank you, sir. I will follow your advice."

"I was mistaken in him," thought Frank. "I disliked him at first, but he
seems inclined to be my friend."

When Frank reached his lodging he found Jasper waiting up for him. He
looked thoughtful, so much so that Frank noticed it.

"You look as if you had something on your mind," Jasper.

"You have guessed right. I have read that letter."

He drew from his pocket a letter, which Frank took from his hands.

"It is from an uncle of mine in Ohio, who is proprietor of a weekly
newspaper. He is getting old, and finds the work too much for him. He
offers me a thousand dollars a year if I will come out and relieve him."

"That's a good offer, Jasper. I suppose you will accept it?"

"It is for my interest to do so. Probably my uncle will, after a while,
surrender the whole establishment to me."

"I shall be sorry to part with you, Jasper. It will seem very lonely,
but I think you ought to go. It is a good chance, and if you refuse it
you may not get such another."

"My uncle wants me to come on at once. I think I will start Monday."

Jasper saw no reason to change his determination, and on Monday morning
he started on his journey to Ohio.

Thus, at a critical moment in his fortunes, when two persons were
planning to injure him, he lost the presence and help of a valued
friend.

CHAPTER XIII

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

"Uncle," said John Wade, "you spoke of inviting Frank Fowler to occupy
a room in the house. Why don't you do it? It would be more convenient to
you and a very good chance for him."

"I should like it," said Mr. Wharton, "but Mrs. Bradley did not seem to
regard it favorably when I suggested it."

"Oh, Mrs. Bradley is unused to boys, and she is afraid he would give her
trouble. I'll undertake to bring her around."

"I wish you would, John. I don't think Frank would give any trouble, and
it would enliven the house to have a boy here. Besides, he reminds me of
George, as I told you the other day."

"I agree with you, uncle," he said. "He does remind me a little of
George."

"Well, Mrs. Bradley, what do you think I have done?" asked John,
entering the housekeeper's room directly after hi