CHAPTER II.
Mr.Paine was not in.

Mr.Moreland was in his office.

I went up the stairs, trembling, fearful of being abused for stupidity in taking the least notice of such a letter.
Mr.Moreland looked up when the clerk announced my name--looked up, bowed and positively rose from his seat.

I took the letter from my pocket.
"I received this this morning, but, believing it to be a jest played upon me, I have not mentioned it.

I have called to ask you if you know anything of it." He took the letter from me with a strange smile.
"I wrote it myself last evening," he said, and I looked at him bewildered.
Good heaven! it was all true.