Tim Uskn'owx Hunts, mi Tins Coxtiti:i Ixiir.iUTAxnu.
1H
R-
Hero, during Ills Intervals or work, lie
thought much on the caliV'iity which hud
befallen him, ami gradually planned u
course of action.
Ho let! his employer in September, hav
ing received his pay, ami then entered
upon the prosecution of his scheme. lie
first revisited Meredith, and when he
heard of Mr. llctutct and his mysterious
mission there, his departure with John
Kollcy, and tho assault upon them, new
light was imparted, for it was not at first
"that ho regarded the conduct otMolin ICcl.
ly as suspicious, of whom he had known
hut little. He at once begun to follow the
.supposed clue. He was unable Jto find
out where Mr Helmut lived, but ho dis
covered the fact that his cousin had for
merly frequented liostou and its vicinity.
Thither he went and Kelley's previous
life received a thorough investigation
from his hands. The very unfavorable
character given it strengthened Stephen's
.suspicions of him.
He now proceeded to find out more than
ho had yol known concerning his father's
early life. This was not so easy inasmuch
as neither his father nor mother hud said
much to him about it. He soon be
thought himself, however, that his father
had once lived in Salem, and hud been in
tho employ of an old and well known man
engnged in commercial aflairs. He knew
moreover, that he had been a s toad fast
friend and helper of his father. To con
suit him was accordingly the next stop iu
his piogrammc.
From him ho learned so much as to
leave no doubt in his mind that his father
was the wayward son of the mysterious
old man that had visited Meredith thi
Spring before, nnd had taken Daniel
Johnson under his charge.
"When this problem was solved, he was
not slow to suspect his cousin of plotting
a scheme to remove his brother and him
self from bis path, and inherit the whole
property of his grandfather.
Hut, uHli""Tli be did not jrct feel prc
paied to fnccrnis grandfather, alone and
unsupported ns ho was, ho determined to
visit Cherryvillcin an assumed character
and still farther Investigate tho matter.
A few hours after his arrival in Cherry,
vlllc, ho saw Mr. Bonnet and John riding
into the village and recognised tho latter.
Upon inquiry, lie asccitained so much
about them as to still farther strengthen
hi suspicions.
While he was yet standing upon the.
sidewalk, hesitating as to the course
which would Ira best for him to pursue, u
letter was suddenly slipped into his pock
et by a person approaching him from be.
hind, who as quickly disappeared.
Stephen retired to a secluded place to
read the missive, which hud no signa
ture and ran us follows:
To Mr. Stephen H'nnot:
irjron would lie acquainted with a piece of
lUnln. that directly concernx ou and Aour
brother, mid If both of yon would lie set to right,
meet mo nt the Poft Ofllco this (Honing nt filx
o'clock. You will rccogiilxo me by my lijnck fur
cup.
CHAPTER VI.
I)i:OKIVKD.
Mr. Helmut's assailant had borne him
to tho earth and had raised a club, when
the newcomer appeared upon the scene of
the disturbance. Tho struggle was then
between the ruffian and John Kollcy, for
it was he, and the latter appeared to han
dle his assailant with considerable case.
After a prolonged bout, John wrenched
the club from his opponent, and struck a
blow with it that caused him to .drop
heavily to tho ground. John then turned
to his grandfather, exhibiting much solic
itude in both his actions and words.
" I hope you arc not much hurt, sir," he
said, at the same time carefully assist
ing the 'old man to arise.
" No, I am not seriously hurt," replied
Mr. Beimel. "He jerked me around
roughly, but inflicted no injuries to speak
of. I am very greatly indebted to you.
He would, doubtless, have robbed me of
all, and, perhaps, have done more Who'
are you?"
" I am Daniel Johnson, and I work for
