to Laura."

"I must go in and find out about this," said Dave, in a curiously
unnatural voice. His mind was in a whirl, and for the time being his
good luck at hunting, and the finding of Phil's uncle and the clearing
up of the mystery of the wild man, were completely forgotten.

He found Laura in one of the bedrooms of the bungalow, sitting in a
chair by the window, with her hands clasped tightly together and her
face firm-set and drawn. As she looked up at him, two fresh tears stood
out on her cheeks.

"They tell me that Uncle Dunston got a letter about me," said the youth,
doing his best to steady his voice. "Will you let me see it?"

"It's on the table," returned the girl, motioning with her hand. And
then she added impetuously: "Oh, Dave, I can't believe it's true, I
simply can't! Why, it's the most dreadful thing that ever came up! I am
sure there must be some mistake!"

"I--I can't understand it," Dave stammered in return, and then picked up
the communication which had been sent by special messenger from Carpen
Falls. The letter ran as follows:

"DEAR DUNSTON:

"A most astonishing thing has come up, and I wish you would
return to Crumville at once; and it might be well to bring
Mr. Wadsworth with you.

"I cannot go into all the details because I am completely
upset. Briefly stated the matter is this: A young man named
Ward Porton--the same fellow who was in Crumville some time
ago with Link Merwell--has written to me, stating that he
has every reason to believe that he is the real Dave Porter,
and that our Dave is somebody else. His story is that he was
left in a poorhouse at Lumberville, Maine, by an old woman
who obtained him from Sandy Margot, who told her the child
had been under the care of Polly, his wife. The claim is
also made that Sandy Margot had in reality stolen two
children, little boys, at about the same time, and the
theory is advanced that the other boy was the one dropped
from the train at Crumville. The young man states that he
has gone into the matter very carefully, and has a number of
proofs which he will submit whenever called on to do so. He
adds that he feels sorry for Dave, but hopes that I will
find in him as good a son, and also hopes that Laura will
like him as well as a brother.

"I am so upset that I hardly know what to think or what to