Vanstone. "I
think so myself; I certainly think so. I won't pay the police a farthing
if I can possibly help it." He took up the letter again, and became
fretfully perplexed over a second reading of it. "But the man wants
money!" he broke out, impatiently. "You seem to forget, Lecount, that
the man wants money."

"Money which you offer him, sir," rejoined Mrs. Lecount; "but--as your
thoughts have already anticipated--money which you don't give him. No!
no! you say to this man: 'Hold out your hand, sir;' and when he has held
it, you give him a smack for his pains, and put your own hand back in
your pocket.--I am so glad to see you laughing, Mr. Noel! so glad to
see you getting back your good spirits. We will answer the letter by
advertisement, as the writer directs--advertisement is so cheap! Your
poor hand is trembling a little--shall I hold the pen for you? I am not
fit to do more; but I can always promise to hold the pen."

Without waiting for his reply she went into the back parlor, and
returned with pen, ink, and paper. Arranging a blotting-book on her
knees, and looking a model of cheerful submission, she placed herself
once more in front of her master's chair.

"Shall I write from your dictation, sir?" she inquired. "Or shall I make
a little sketch, and will you correct it afterward? I will make a little
sketch. Let me see the letter. We are to advertise in the _Times_, and
we are to address 'An Unknown Friend.' What shall I say, Mr. Noel? Stay;
I will write it, and then you can see for yourself: 'An Unknown Friend
is requested to mention (by advertisement) an address at which a letter
can reach him. The receipt of the information which he offers will be
acknowledged by a reward of--' What sum of money do you wish me to set
down, sir?"

"Set down nothing," said Noel Vanstone, with a sudden outbreak of
impatience. "Money matters are my business--I say money matters are my
business, Lecount. Leave it to me."

"Certainly, sir," replied Mrs. Lecount, handing her master the
blotting-book. "You will not forget to be liberal in offering money when
you know beforehand you don't mean to part with it?"

"Don't dictate, Lecount! I won't submit to dictation!" said Noel
Vanstone, asserting his own independence more and more impatiently. "I
mean to conduct this business for myself. I am master, Lecount!"

"You are master, sir."

"My father was master before me. And I am my father's son. I tell you,
Lecount, I am my fa