subject which had brought him to the office.

"It's about the boat, isn't it?" said the lawyer.

"What, do you know about it?" asked Robert, in surprise.

"Yes; a disinterested friend brought the news."

"Halbert Davis?"

"The same. He takes a strong interest in your affairs," added the
lawyer, dryly. "Now tell me how it happened."

Robert gave a full explanation, the lawyer occasionally asking a
question.

"It seems, then," he said, "that you incurred this man's enmity by your
defense of Mr. Nichols' money."

"Yes, sir."

"It was incurred in a good cause. I can't blame you, nor will my son. I
will get Mr. Plane, the carpenter, to look at the boat and see what he
can do to repair it."

"Some time I will pay you the cost of the repairs, Mr. Paine. I would
now if I had any money; but you know how I am situated."

"I shall not call upon you to do that," said the lawyer, kindly. "It was
not your fault."