Even now there are grave doubts as to the validity of the transaction.

When nothing was heard of you, and we all concluded that you were dead, I ventured to take back what I honestly believed to be my own.

Owing," he continued slowly, "to my unfortunate affliction, I am obliged to depend for interest in my life upon various hobbies.

This little place, queerly enough, has become one of them.

I have furnished it, in a way; installed the telephone to the house, connected it with my electric plant, and I come down here when I want to be quite alone, and paint.