riefly repeated what
McAravey had said on his death-bed, as it had been told to him by
Hendrick. It appeared that before the old man's death the locket had
been brought out from its place of concealment, and, in presence of the
priest, handed over to Hendrick, who had next day brought it to the
rector. Upon investigation the locket had been found to contain the
portrait of a man, and also a small folded piece of paper. The face
was intelligent and powerful, but by no means pleasing. The eyes were
eager and piercing, the lines about the mouth firm and deep-cut; the
features in general somewhat coarse, and plainly those of a man in the
lower walks of life, and one accustomed to hard toil both of mind and
body. The paper had proved to be the pawn ticket of a watch pledged in
Belfast for the sum of one pound, the name upon it being Henderson.
Mr. Smith had redeemed the watch, which now lay before him with the
locket on the table.

"You see, Elsie," he said, turning to the girl, whose eyes were full of
tears, "we have but slight evidence to show either that this is your
father's portrait, or that the poor creature who came to so untimely an
end was your mother. It is curious that the name on the ticket is
Henderson, while McAravey said the person who brought you and Jim to
him was called Davison or Davis, or something like that. Of course it
is quite possible the poor creature did not like to give her right name
at a pawn office. What do you think?"

"I have always felt as if she was my mother," said Elsie; "and I should
be glad if it turned out so. It seems very probable."

"I'm sure this rough-looking fellow is no father of mine," cried Jim,
who had been sadly disappointed at the unromantic character of the
revelation; "but I'll find out the secret of this matter yet.
Meantime, I suppose, sir, the watch is mine. Elsie may take the
locket."

"Don't you think you are somewhat precipitate, Jim?" said the rector,
smiling. "This is just one of the points Mr. Hendrick and I have been
considering. Of course it is just possible that some day the poor
drowned woman may be identified, and turn out to have no connection
with you at all. But I am inclined to think she was your mother, and
that that accounts for her coming to Tor Bay. We have thought it only
right, therefore, that you and Elsie should have the locket and watch,
for the present at least. As for the division, you must arrange that
between you."

"I