. The paying teller of the bank examined it closely, and then took
a long look at the remarkable-appearing young man who had presented it.
Finally he said curtly:

"Sign your name."

Cabot did so, and the other, after comparing the two signatures, retired
to an inner room. From it he reappeared a few moments later and
requested Cabot to follow him inside, where the manager wished to see him.

The manager also regarded our lad with great curiosity as he said:

"You have retained this letter a long time without presenting it."

"And I might have retained it longer if I had not been in need of money,"
rejoined Cabot, somewhat nettled by the man's manner.

"You are Cabot Grant of New York?"

"I am."

"Not yet of age?"

"Not quite."

"And you have a guardian?"

"I have."

"Do you mind telling his name and address?"

"Is that a necessary preliminary to drawing money on a letter of credit?"

"In this case it is."

"Well, then, he is James Hepburn, President of the Gotham Trust and
Investment Company."

"Just so, and you will doubtless be interested in this communication from
him."

So saying, the manager handed over the telegram in which Mr. Hepburn
instructed the St. Johns branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia to advance
only the price of a ticket to New York on a letter of credit that would
be presented by his ward, Cabot Grant.

"What does it mean?" asked Cabot in bewilderment, as he finished reading
this surprising order.

"I've no idea," replied the manager dryly. "I only know that we are
bound to follow those instructions, and can let you have but forty
dollars, which is the price of a first-class ticket to New York by
steamer. Moreover, as this is sailing day, and the New York steamer
leaves in a couple of hours, I would advise you to engage passage and go
on board at once, if you do not want to be indefinitely detained here."

"In what way?"

"Possibly by the sheriff, who has wanted you for some time in connection
with a certain French Shore lobster case that the government is
prosecuting."

Perplexed and indignant as he was, Cabot realised that only in New York
could his tangled affairs be straightened out, and that the quicker he
got there the better. Determined, however, to make one more effort in
behalf of his friend, he produced the missionary's draft and asked if the
manager would cash it.

"Certainly not," replied that individual promptly. "Under present
circumstances, Mr. Grant