In it you write that you are anxious to discover our boy's whereabouts, when, by the same mail, I am advised by him that he is on board the very boat of which you claim to be Captain and owner.

I of course take my boy's word in preference to that of any stranger.

Having thus detected the hollowness of your sympathy, and the falseness of your pretended friendship for my husband, I must request you to refrain from further meddling in this matter.

Yours etc.,----ELLEN CASPAR." Fortunately, as this letter was addressed to Captain Cod, Esq., instead of to Mr.Aleck Fifield, the old man never received it, and in due time it was returned to the writer from the Dead-letter Office.
To Billy Brackett Mrs.Caspar wrote: "MY DEAR GOOSE OF A BROTHER,--I have just received a letter from Winn written at Mandrake.

He is on the _Mantel-piece_, and out of money.
Please supply him with whatever he needs, and bring him home to me as quickly as possible.