sum, that would enable him to double his
facilities for doing the job; and then a price for the work was agreed
upon.

The next morning, Jim and Mr. Benedict pursued their journey to the
lumber-mill, and there spent the day in selecting their materials, and
filling out their specifications.

The first person Mr. Benedict saw on entering the mill was a young man
from Sevenoaks, whom he had known many years before. He colored as if he
had been detected in a crime, but the man gave him no sign that the
recognition was mutual. His old acquaintance had no memory of him,
apparently; and then he realized the change that must have passed upon
him during his long invalidism and his wonderful recovery.

They remained with the proprietor of the mill during the night.

"I jest call 'im Number Ten," said Jim, in response to the inquiries
that were made of him concerning his companion, "He never telled me his
name, an' I never axed 'im. I'm 'Number Nine,' an' he's 'Number Ten,'
and that's all thar is about it."

Jim's oddities were known, and inquiries were pushed no further, though
Jim gratuitously informed his host that the man had come into the woods
to get well and was willing to work to fill up his time.

On the following morning, Jim proposed to Mr. Benedict to go on to
Sevenoaks for the purchase of more tools, and the nails and hardware
that would be necessary in finishing the house. The experience of the
latter during the previous day showed him that he need not fear
detection, and, now that Mr. Belcher was out of the way, Jim found him
possessed by a strong desire to make the proposed visit. The road was
not difficult, and before sunset the two men found themselves housed in
the humble lodgings that had for many years been familiar to Jim. Mr.
Benedict went into the streets, and among the shops, the next morning,
with great reluctance; but this soon wore off as he met man after man
whom he knew, who failed to recognize him. In truth, so many things had
happened, that the memory of the man who, long ago, had been given up as
dead had passed out of mind. The people would have been no more
surprised to see a sleeper of the village cemetery among them than they
would to have realized that they were talking with the insane pauper who
had fled, as they supposed, to find his death in the forest.

They had a great deal to do during the day, and when night came, Jim
could no longer be restrained from the visit that gave signi