But just then he happened to get a remittance enclosed in an extraordinary letter, in which occurred several puzzling business terms.

There was something about "liquidation," and closing up an account which required his presence, and in the middle of it all there were certain expressions which seemed to have stumbled accidentally into the commercial style.

For instance, in one place there was "brother of my boyhood;" and further on, "with sincere wishes for brotherly companionship;" and finally, he read, in the middle of a long involved sentence, "Dear Richard, don't lose heart." This stirred Richard Garman into action: he made an effort, and set off home.

When he saw his brother come on board the steamer the tears came to his eyes, and he was on the point of opening his arms to embrace him.

The Consul, however, held out his hand, and said quietly, "Welcome, Richard! Where are your things ?" Since then nothing had been said about the letter; once only had Richard Garman ventured to allude to it, when the Consul seemed to imagine that he wished to settle up the accounts that were therein mentioned.