'They must,' said Newman.

'They must not, indeed,' rejoined Nicholas firmly, as he prepared to
leave the house.

'Hear me speak,' said Newman, planting himself before his impetuous
young friend. 'He is not there. He is away from town. He will not be
back for three days; and I know that letter will not be answered before
he returns.'

'Are you sure of this?' asked Nicholas, chafing violently, and pacing
the narrow room with rapid strides.

'Quite,' rejoined Newman. 'He had hardly read it when he was called
away. Its contents are known to nobody but himself and us.'

'Are you certain?' demanded Nicholas, precipitately; 'not even to my
mother or sister? If I thought that they--I will go there--I must see
them. Which is the way? Where is it?'

'Now, be advised by me,' said Newman, speaking for the moment, in his
earnestness, like any other man--'make no effort to see even them, till
he comes home. I know the man. Do not seem to have been tampering with
anybody. When he returns, go straight to him, and speak as boldly as you
like. Guessing at the real truth, he knows it as well as you or I. Trust
him for that.'

'You mean well to me, and should know him better than I can,' replied
Nicholas, after some consideration. 'Well; let it be so.'