have a good nest-egg laid aside, aunt."

"I've got something, Thomas, and when I die, it'll be yours."

"I hope I shan't have to wait too long," thought Thomas, "but he did not
give utterance to the thought."

"Come again, Thomas, and don't forget what I have said," said Mrs.
Bradley.

CHAPTER XI

JOHN WADE

A tall man, with a sallow complexion, and heavily-bearded face, stood
on the deck of a Cunard steamer, only a few miles distant from New York
harbor.

"It's three years since I have seen America," he said to himself,
thoughtfully. "I suppose I ought to feel a patriotic fervor about
setting foot once more on my native shore, but I don't believe in
nonsense. I would be content to live in Europe all my life, if my
uncle's fortune were once in my possession. I am his sole heir, but
he persists in holding on to his money bags, and limits me to a paltry
three thousand a year. I must see if I can't induce him to give me a
good, round sum on account--fifty thousand, at least--and then I can
wait a little more patiently till he drops off."

"When shall we reach port, captain?" he asked, as he passed that
officer.

"In four hours, I think, Mr. Wade."

"So this is my birthday," he said to himself.

"Thirty five years old to-day. Half my life gone, and I am still a
dependent on my uncle's bounty. Suppose he should throw me off--leave me
out in the cold--where should I be? If he should find the boy--but no,
there is no chance of that. I have taken good care of that. By the way,
I must look him up soon--cautiously, of course--and see what has
become of him. He will grow up a laborer or mechanic and die without
a knowledge of his birth, while I fill his place and enjoy his
inheritance."

At six o'clock the vessel reached the Quarantine. Most of the passengers
decided to remain on board one night more, but John Wade was impatient,
and, leaving his trunks, obtained a small boat, and soon touched the
shore.

It was nearly eight when John Wade landed in the city. It was half-past
eight when he stood on the steps of his uncle's residence and rang the
bell.

"Is my uncle is Mr. Wharton--at home?" he asked of the servant who
answered the bell.

"Yes, sir."

"I am his nephew, just arrived from Europe. Let him know that I am here,
and would like to see him."

The servant, who had never before seen him, having only been six months
in the house, regarded him with a great deal of curiosity, and then went
to do