Mr.Timmins was not there; so he was spared the infliction of any ill-natured remark from him.
"Hallo, Bobby!" exclaimed the gentlemanly salesman, whose acquaintance he had made on his first visit.
"Good morning, Mr.Bigelow," replied Bobby with as much boldness as he could command.
"I didn't know as I should ever see you again.

You have been gone a long while." "Longer than usual," answered Bobby, with a blush; for he considered the remark of the salesman as an allusion to his imprisonment.

"Is Mr.Bayard in ?" "He is--in his office." Bobby's feet would hardly obey the mandate of his will, and with a faltering step he entered the private room of the bookseller.

Mr.
Bayard was absorbed in the perusal of the morning paper, and did not observe his entrance.

With his heart up in his throat, and almost choking him, he stood for several minutes upon the threshold.