PROFESSOR,--In reply to your last letter, I inclose a paper picked up at sea on the 3d instant by a Danish vessel.

Unfortunately this discovery dispels any lingering doubt as to the fate of the 'Viking'-- " Sylvius Hogg, without taking time to read the rest of the letter, drew the paper from the envelope.

He looked at it; he turned it over.
It was a lottery ticket bearing the number 9672.
On the other side of the ticket were the following lines: "May 3d.
"DEAREST HULDA,--The 'Viking' is going down.

I have only this ticket left of all I hoped to bring back to you.

I intrust it to God's hands, hoping that it may reach you safely; and as I shall not be there, I beseech you to be present at the drawing.