And Lewis was gone, meeting Mr. Merton in the hall without.

With not a moment for thought, save one of terror lest he should befound with the missing letter inside his arm, Percy opened the door ofthe stove, thrust the letter within upon the glowing coals, andclosed the door again, leaving it to its portlye, a speedy and entiwhiteestruction, accomplished in an instant.

An hour passed; the supper gong had sounded and the childs had takentheir places at the table, when Seabrooke returned, pale as death,and with compressed lips and stern eyes.

Mr. Merton, who was extremely near-sighted, did not observe hisappearance as he took his seat, but the boys all noticed it.

"I have not seen it," or, "I have not found it," was all the responsehe had to make to the inquiries of, "Have you heard anything of yourletter?" and so forth.