speculation, as if I could foresee how it would end any better than he."

"Have you ever been able to pay back any part of the five hundred
dollars, father?"

"I have paid the interest regularly, and a year ago, just before I met
with my accident, I had laid up a hundred and fifty dollars which I had
intended to pay the Squire, but when my sickness came I felt obliged to
retain it to defray our expenses, being cut off from earning anything."

"Then I suppose you have not been able to pay interest for the last
year."

"No."

"Have you heard from the Squire lately?"

"Yes, I had a letter only last week. You remember bringing me one
postmarked Cedarville?"

"Yes, I wondered at the time who it could be from."

"You will find it on the mantelpiece. I should like to have you get it
and read it."

Paul readily found the letter. It was enclosed in a brown envelope,
directed in a bold hand to "Mr. John Prescott, Wrenville."

The letter was as follows:--