CHAPTER IV.
It was two months later that Mr.Tony Shear, of Marysville, but lately confidential clerk to the Hon.

Paul Hathaway, entered his employer's chambers in Sacramento, and handed the latter a letter.
"I only got back from San Francisco this morning; but Mr.Slate said I was to give you that, and if it satisfied you, and was what you wanted, you would send it back to him." Paul took the envelope and opened it.

It contained a printer's proof-slip, which he hurriedly glanced over.

It read as follows:-- "Those of our readers who are familiar with the early history of San Francisco will be interested to know that an eccentric and irregular trusteeship, vested for the last eight years in the Mayor of San Francisco and two of our oldest citizens, was terminated yesterday by the majority of a beautiful and accomplished young lady, a pupil of the convent of Santa Clara.

Very few, except the original trustees, were cognizant of the fact that the administration of the trustees has been a recognized function of the successive Mayors of San Francisco during this period; and the mystery surrounding it has been only lately divulged.