lingered
in my ears. Most terrible are the sufferings of the evil-doer, and I
resolved anew that I would always be true to God and principle. What
were mines of wealth to a man tortured with the pangs of remorse?

"Do you think there is any danger that we shall be pursued?" asked Bob.

"Not the least," I replied. "I don't think any one will suspect that we
have left town. I believe my uncle engaged a boatman to pursue the
Splash. I saw a schooner, which I think was the Alert, standing up the
lake, after we had landed. They will find the Splash in the brook where
I left her. Old Jerry was going over after Tom Thornton, and very likely
he will reach the cottage some time this afternoon. As it is almost a
matter of life and death with him, no doubt he will follow; but he will
be a day behind us. Now, Bob, I want to look over these papers, so as to
determine what I am to do."

I read my father's will again. It appeared from this document that he
belonged to the city of Philadelphia, but was temporarily residing in
London. How long he lived there, or for what purpose, I had no means of
knowing. His property, consisting of stocks, bonds, and other
securities, amounted to over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the
income of one third of which, after paying legacies, was placed in trust
for the use of my mother during her lifetime, and two thirds in trust
for his son during his minority. Five thousand dollars was given to his
brother, who was appointed his sole executor and trustee, with an
annuity of fifteen hundred dollars, payable from the income of the trust
funds, during the minority of his son Ernest; and of five hundred
dollars during the life of his wife, if she survived the son's maturity.
In the event of his wife's decease, her third was to be held in trust
for his son. The mother was appointed the guardian of the son; and if
the son died before he was twenty-one, then the property was to go to
his brother, "the said Amos."

"It is rather a mixed-up mess," said I, perplexed by the contingencies
and the repetitions.

"I don't think so," replied Bob, who was more of a lawyer than I was. "I
understand it well enough. Your father gives your uncle five thousand
dollars in the first place, and then the income of one third to your
mother, and two thirds to you till you are of age. If your mother is
living when you are twenty-one, your uncle pays you your two thirds; if
she is not living, he is to pay you the whole