he must have been about eight years old at the time of their death.

"In 1795 a French man and woman, directly from France, appeared in
Albany, New York, having in charge a girl and boy; the latter about
nine years old, and feeble in body and mind.

"The woman had also a number of articles of dress which she said had
belonged to Marie Antoinette, who had given them to her on the scaffold.

"That same year two Frenchmen came to Ticonderoga, visited the Indians
in that vicinity, and placed with them such a boy as the one seen at
Albany--of the same age, condition of mind and body, etc.

"He was adopted by an Iroquois chief named Williams, and given the name
of Eleazer Williams.

"He gradually recovered his health, and at length the shock of a sudden
fall into the lake so far restored his memory that he recollected some
scenes in his early life in the palaces of France. One thing he recalled
was being with a richly dressed lady whom he addressed as 'mamma.'

"Some time later--I cannot now recall the exact date--a Frenchman died
in New Orleans (Beranger was his name), who confessed on his death-bed
that he had brought the dauphin to this country and placed him with the
Indians of Northern New York. He stated that he had taken an oath of
secrecy, for the protection of the lad, but could not die without
confessing the truth."

"I'm inclined to think the story of the dauphin's death in France was
not true," remarked Betty.

"Didn't Beranger's confession arouse inquiry, grandpa?" asked Zoe. "And
did Eleazer Williams hear of it?"

"I think I may say yes to both your queries," Mr. Dinsmore answered.
"Eleazer's story was published in the newspapers some years ago, and I
remember he was spoken of as a very good Christian man, a missionary
among the Indians; it was brought out in book form also under the title
'The Lost Prince: A Life of Eleazer Williams.'

"Eleazer himself stated that in 1848 he had an interview, on board a
steamer from Buffalo, with the Prince de Joinville, who then told him he
was the son of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, and tried to induce him
to sign away his right to the throne of France, and that he refused to
do so.

"In his published statement he said he thought the Prince would not deny
having made that communication. But the Prince did deny that, though he
acknowledged that the interview had taken place."

"Did Eleazer ever try to get the throne, grandpa?" asked Max.

"No, he never urge