e for. Well, I undertook the task, and when I had failed to
resuscitate my fortunes in England, I left for Australia and brought him
with me."

"And you have never heard of his father since?" I asked.

"No."

"Hullo, house--grocers--let me in!" shouted a voice at the door; and a
heavy kick was bestowed on the wall to attract our attention.

Mr. Critchet started from his seat, and then sank back to the floor with
a groan.

CHAPTER LXIII.

THE SAME, CONTINUED.

"Are you sick?" we demanded, springing towards the prostrate man and
helping him to a chair.

"I know not," he replied, wildly; "but unless I am dreaming, I heard a
voice demanding admittance to the store. Do not open the door, for
mercy's sake. I cannot bear to look upon his face again."

"Poor man," muttered Fred; "his story has affected him to such a degree
that his mind wanders. Let us put him to bed as soon as possible, for
fear of a return of the fever."

"You are mistaken, young men, if you think that fever or a diseased
imagination has caused my emotion. See, I am perfectly calm."

In fact, he didn't seem as though afflicted with his late sickness, for
his flesh was cool, and his face pale, but for all that he trembled
violently, and as though attacked with the ague.

"I thought that I recognized the voice," our patient said, in a half
whisper, and in a listening attitude, "but I may have been mistaken."

"Hullo, within there--open the door, and sell me a quart of the best
quality," cried the rough voice on the outside, accompanied by another
violent shake of the door that made every thing jar again.

Rover uttered a threatening howl, and pawed at the door as though
desirous of inserting his teeth into the body of the brawler.

"I was certain that I could not be mistaken," exclaimed Mr. Critchet, in
a hoarse whisper.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Will you let me have the liquor? Say yes or no," cried the impatient
fellow on the outside, with an oath.

"I am positive that that is the voice of my brother-in-law," Mr.
Critchet said. "I have not heard him speak before for six years, yet
there are some things that I cannot forget. What shall I do? How shall I
act?"

"Do you wish to speak to him?" I asked; "if so, we will admit him, and
trust to our arms for security. Not a hair of your head shall be
injured, even though you tell him disagreeable truths."

"What say you? Are you awake? Shall I have the rum?" continued our
midn