Page 202 - In A New World

Benjamin Howard looked at the man curiously. "His grief doesn't seem to
be very profound," he thought. "I will test him."

"Even if I were convinced that poor Harry was dead," he said, "I should not

deliver up the money till you had established a legal claim to it."

"So you mean to put all possible obstacles in my way," said John Fox,

provoked. "I thought so. But, Mr. Howard, let me tell you that you can't rob
the orphan."

"Meaning yourself?"

"No, I mean the dead boy--that is the orphan's estate--without settling with
me. I am a man of influence, I'd have you know, and I'll put the matter in

the hands of the lawyer right off."

"It might be well, first, to listen to what I have to say."

"Aha! he's scared!" thought John Fox.

"I'm ready to hear what you've got to say," he answered, "but it won't
influence me a particle."

"I think it will. Harry Vane is alive!"

"What!" ejaculated John Fox, his face expressing his dismay. "It's a lie. I
don't believe it."

"Georgie," said Mr. Howard to his little son, who just then entered the

room, "go to my desk and bring me Harry Vane's letter."

This was done at once, John Fox meanwhile sitting in painful suspense.

"This letter," said Mr. Howard, taking it in his hand, "was posted, as you

see, at Melbourne, Australia. Harry was shipwrecked on an island, from
which he finally escaped, and was carried to Melbourne. He writes me that