It's a fair proposition, and I need the land." "Very well, Mr.Merrick.Would it not be better for me to send these papers by a messenger to your house ?" "No; I'll take them myself.

No one will rob me." And then the door swung open and, chuckling in his usual whimsical fashion, Uncle John came out, wearing his salt-and-pepper suit and stuffing; a bundle of papers into his inside pocket.
The Major stared at him haughtily, but made no attempt to openly recognize the man.

Uncle John gave a start, laughed, and then walked away briskly, throwing a hasty "good-bye" to the obsequious banker, who followed him out, bowing low.
The Major returned to his office with a grave face, and sat for the best part of three hours in a brown study.

Then he took his hat and went home.
Patsy asked anxiously if anything had happened, when she saw his face; but the Major shook his head.
Uncle John arrived just in time for dinner, in a very genial mood, and he and Patsy kept up a lively conversation at the table while the Major looked stern every time he caught the little man's eye.
But Uncle John never minded.

He was not even as meek and humble as usual, but laughed and chatted with the freedom of a boy just out of school, which made Patsy think the new clothes had improved him in more ways than one.
When dinner was over the Major led them into the sitting-room, turned up the lights, and then confronted the little man with a determined and majestic air.
"Sir," said he, "give an account of yourself." "Eh ?" "John Merrick, millionaire and impostor, who came into my family under false pretenses and won our love and friendship when we didn't know it, give an account of yourself!" Patsy laughed.
"What are you up to, Daddy ?" she demanded.