daresay I startled you a little, dear old fellow, coming in upon you
without a moment's notice, when you fancied I was at the Antipodes. But,
you see, I hunted you up directly I was free."

"You have done well out yonder, I hope, Gilbert?"

"Yes; everything has gone well enough with me in business. But my coming
home has been a dreary one."

"How is that?"

"Captain Sedgewick is dead, and Marian Nowell is lost."

"Lost! What do you mean by that?"

Mr. Fenton told his friend all that had befallen him since his arrival in
England.

"I come to you for counsel and help, John," he said, when he had finished
his story.

"I will give you my help, so far as it is possible for one man to help
another in such a business, and my counsel in all honesty," answered John
Saltram; "but I doubt if you will be inclined to receive it."

"Why should you doubt that?"

"Because it is not likely to agree with your own ideas."

"Speak out, John."