assure
you. I desire you to convey my message to your brother. Leave me now.'
I was just on the point of saying `Good-bye, uncle,' but he covered his
face with his hands, and looked so miserable, that I went out without a
word more. There, you've got the whole of _my_ story. What think you
of it?"

"It's a curious one, and very unexpected, at least by me," said Frank,
"though, as you said, part of it must have been known to mother, who, no
doubt, had good reasons for concealing it from us; but I rather think
that my story will surprise you more, and it's a better one than yours,
Willie, in this respect, that it is shorter."

"Come, then, out with it," said Willie, with a laugh; "why, this is
something like one of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments."

"Well, mother," said Frank, laying his hand gently on the widow's
shoulder, "you shan't darn any more socks if I can help it, for I'm a
man of fortune now!"

"How, Frank?" said Mrs Willders, with a puzzled look.

"The fact is, mother, that Mrs Denman, the poor old lady whom I carried
down the escape, I forget how many years ago, is dead, and has left me
her fortune, which, I believe, amounts to something like twenty thousand
pounds!"

"You _don't_ mean that!" cried Willie, starting up.

"Indeed, I do," said Frank earnestly.

"Then long life to ye, my boy!" cried Willie, wringing his brother's
hand, "and success to the old--well, no, I don't exactly mean that, but
if she were alive I would say my blessing on the old lady. I wish you
joy, old fellow! I say, surely the stately man won't object to the
penniless fireman now--ha! ha! Well, it's like a dream; but tell us all
about it, Frank."

"There is very little to tell, lad. I got a very urgent message the day
before yesterday to go to see an old lady who was very ill. I obtained
leave for an hour, and went at once, not knowing who it was till I got
there, when I found that it was Mrs Denman. She looked very ill, and I
do assure you I felt quite unmanned when I looked into her little old
face. `Young man,' she said in a low voice, `you saved my life; I am
dying, and have sent for you to thank you. God bless you.' She put out
her thin hand and tried to shake mine, but it was too feeble; she could
only press her fingers on it. That was all that passed, and I returned
to the station feeling quite in low spirits, I do assure you. Well,
next day a little man in black called, and said he wished to have a f