of trouble to your friends; and I own I shall not be very well contented

until it is set right."

"Indeed, sir," said I, "these months are very easily filled up; but yet

before I told my story, I would be glad to know that I was talking to a

friend."

"This is to argue in a circle," said the lawyer. "I cannot be convinced

till I have heard you. I cannot be your friend till I am properly

informed. If you were more trustful, it would better befit your time of

life. And you know, Mr. Balfour, we have a proverb in the country that

evil-doers are aye evil-dreaders."

"You are not to forget, sir," said I, "that I have already suffered by

my trustfulness; and was shipped off to be a slave by the very man that

(if I rightly understand) is your employer?"

All this while I had been gaining ground with Mr. Rankeillor, and in

proportion as I gained ground, gaining confidence. But at this sally,

which I made with something of a smile myself, he fairly laughed aloud.

"No, no," said he, "it is not so bad as that. Fui, non sum. I was indeed

your uncle's man of business; but while you (imberbis juvenis custode

remoto) were gallivanting in the west, a good deal of water has run

under the bridges; and if your ears did not sing, it was not for lack of

being talked about. On the very day of your sea disaster, Mr. Campbell

stalked into my office, demanding you from all the winds. I had never

heard of your existence; but I had known your father; and from matters

in my competence (to be touched upon hereafter) I was disposed to fear

the worst. Mr. Ebenezer admitted having seen you; declared (what seemed

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