and stammered. He was in a very
awkward position, and he realized it. Abner Trimble came to his
assistance.

"You must have been mistaken, Floyd," he said. "The young man you saw
drowned must have been a stranger."

"Yes," returned Floyd, grasping the suggestion. "Of course I must have
been mistaken. The young man I saw bore a wonderful resemblance to Mr.
Granger."

"How long is it since you saw me drowned, Mr. Floyd?" asked Edward.

"About three weeks," answered Floyd, in an embarrassed tone.

"In New York Bay?"

"Yes. You were out in a boat with two other young fellows--that is, a
young man who was the perfect image of you was. The boat upset, and all
three were spilled out. I saved the life of one, but the others were,
as I thought, drowned. I am sorry that I was mistaken."

"Does that mean you are sorry I was not drowned?"

"No; I am sorry to have harrowed up your mother's feelings by a story
which proves to be untrue."

"I suppose Mr. Trimble brought you here," said Edward, quietly. He had
in former days stood in fear of his stepfather, but now, backed up by
Chester, he felt a new sense of courage and independence.

"Of course I brought him here," growled Trimble. "Fully believing in my
friend Floyd's story, for I know him to be a gentleman of truth, I
thought your mother ought to know it."

"I was about to make my will at Mr. Trimble's suggestion, leaving him
all my property," said Mrs. Trimble, regarding her husband
suspiciously.

"Of course it was better to leave it to me than to second cousins whom
you don't care anything about," interposed Trimble, sourly. "Come,
Floyd, our business is at an end. We will go over to the saloon."

"Shan't I get anything for my trouble?" asked Floyd, uneasily, a remark
which led the lawyer to regard him sharply.

"Your valuable time will be paid for," said Trimble, sarcastically.

He led the way out, and Floyd followed.

"Mrs. Trimble," said the lawyer, rising, "allow me to congratulate you
on the happy event of this day. I am particularly glad that my services
are not needed."

"They will be needed, Mr. Coleman. Will you do me the favor of drawing
up a will leaving my entire property, with the exception of a thousand
dollars, to my son, Edward, and bring it here to-morrow morning, with
two trusty witnesses, and I will sign it."

"To whom will you leave the thousand dollars?"

"To my--to Mr. Trimble," answered Mrs. Trimble, coldly. "I will not
utterly ign