our present condition I
doubt whether you are capable of making anything clear."

Releasing herself from the arms of her smiling husband, she held out a
crumpled sheet of paper to the eager Fred. He saw that there were only
a few lines of writing on it, and that even this was done unevenly, as
though the one who used the pen wrote under unfavorable conditions,
perhaps on the edge of his bunk aboard a sailing vessel.

This was just what Fred read:

"On the way home by easy stages, and under an assumed name, so as
not to arouse the suspicion of those who have kept me away.
Determined to right a great wrong that has been done you. Willing
to testify in your behalf. Be sure and keep secret, especially from
the one you have to fear.

"You Know Who."

"Where is the envelope this came in, mother?" Fred asked the first
thing; for he found nothing about the letter itself to indicate from
what part of the world it might have come.

"I was very careful to keep it, Fred," Mrs. Fenton replied; "for I knew
you would want to see it."

No sooner had Fred glanced hastily at the postmark than he whistled to
indicate his astonishment.

"Why, it was mailed at Hong Kong, and a whole month ago," he cried.

"Yes, away at the other side of the world," his father remarked. "And
from the tone of the letter I feel satisfied that our troubles will
soon be of the past; for Hiram Masterson is tired of being kept away
from his native land, just because he wants to tell the truth; and he
is coming soon to testify for us."

"This is great news, mother, father!" declared Fred, tears standing in
his eyes as he contemplated the joyous faces of those he loved so well,
for the careworn expression had fled from the countenances of his
parents; and he thought both of them looked ten years younger, such is
the mission of happiness.

"I'll never hear the name of Hong Kong again in school, but what I'll
just love it," declared Kate, laughing and crying by turns; "because it
sounds so good right now."

"A month ago he wrote this," continued Fred, reflectively. "Why right
at this time Hiram must be on the way to America on his vessel, and may
show up here any old time. He says he is sailing under another name, so
they won't know him. After all, Hiram has turned out to be a good
friend of ours, father, even if he does belong to that Lemington family
that has given us so much trouble."

"Oh there may be good branches on even