r said. "My
business is not so private but that you and Mistress Agnes may hear
us."

"You know my daughter's name!" Dame Beggs exclaimed, in surprise.

"The gentleman comes with a message from an old friend of ours,"
Diggory said; "and has doubtless heard him mention our daughter's
name."

"And Dorothy," Roger asked; "she is well, I hope."

"My eldest daughter was married, three months since," Dame Mercy
replied.

Roger gave an exclamation of satisfaction.

"And so none of you know me?" he asked. "And yet, you are but
little changed; except that Mistress Agnes has grown into a young
woman, whereas she was but a child when I parted from her."

Diggory Beggs and his wife gazed at Roger in astonishment. Agnes
stood up, with her hands tightly clasped together.

"It is Roger," she cried. "Oh, mother! It is Roger, come back to
us."

"I am Roger, sure enough, aunt," he said, stooping and kissing her;
and then shaking hands with his uncle, and kissing Agnes.

"And your father," Diggory asked, "and the Swan?"

"It is a sad story," Roger said. "A very sad story, uncle. Six
years ago, the Swan was wrecked on the coast of Tabasco; and every
soul, save myself, lost."

It was a blow for Diggory Beggs. He had, indeed, long since given
up all hope of ever seeing his cousin Reuben, or of obtaining any
return for the capital he had embarked on the Swan; but the sight
of Roger had, for a moment, raised his hopes that the venture had,
after all, been productive. However, he speedily recovered himself.

"I am grieved to hear it, Roger, though in no ways surprised. For
two years we looked for your return; but we have all, long since,
given up hope, and written off our shares in the Swan as lost
money. I am sorry for Reuben, very sorry, for I loved him like a
brother.

"Well, well, do not let us talk about it, now. You are restored to
us, safe and sound; and though the loss was a heavy one, and
crippled me for a time, I have got over it.

"Now, tell us what have you been doing, ever since. And by what
miracle have you returned, safe and sound?"

"It is a long story, uncle. A very long story. But before I begin
it, I may tell you that, though the ship and its venture were lost,
I myself have returned by no means penniless; and can, indeed,
repay to the full all the money expended upon the Swan and her
outfit.

"Now I want you all to come round with me to the inn, for there I
have left a lady whom I would fain introduc