?" he asked. "Did Mr. Badger send you for me?"

"I never saw Mr. Badger in my life."

Bill--er perhaps I ought to say Julian--looked less anxious.

"Yes," he said, "but he treated me badly and I ran away."

"Did you ever hear of a man named Charles Waldo?"

"Yes, he was the man that sent me to Mr. Badger."

"It's a clear case!" thought Robert, overjoyed, "I have no doubt now
that I have found the hermit's son. Poor boy, how he must have
suffered!"

"Julian," said he, "do you know why I am traveling--what brought me
here? But of course you don't. I came to find you."

"To find me? But you said----"

"No, it was not Mr. Badger nor Mr. Waldo that sent me. They are your
enemies. The one that sent me is your friend. Julian, how would you like
to have a father?"

"My father is dead."

"Who told you so?"

"Mr. Waldo. He told Mr. Badger so."

"He told a falsehood, then. You have a father, and as soon as you are
well enough I'll take you to him."

"Will he be kind to me?"

"Do not fear. For years he has grieved for you, supposing you dead. Once
restored to him, you will have everything to make you happy. Your father
is a rich man, and you won't be overworked again."

"What is my father's name?" asked Julian.

"His name is Gilbert Huet."

"Huet! Yes, that's the name!" exclaimed Julian eagerly. "I remember it
now. My name used to be Julian Huet, but Mr. Waldo was always angry
whenever any one called me by that name, and so he changed it to Bill
Benton."

"He must be a great scoundrel," said Robert. "Now, Julian, I will tell
you my plan. I don't believe there is anything the matter with you
except the want of rest and good food. You shall have both. You also
want some new clothes."

"Yes," said Julian, looking at the ragged suit which now hung over a
chair. "I should like some new clothes."

A doctor was called, who confirmed Robert's opinion.

"The youngster will be all right in a week or ten days," he said. "All
he wants is rest and good living."

"How soon will he be able to travel?"

"In a week, at the outside."

During this week Robert's attention was drawn to the following paragraph
in a copy of the Dexter Times, a small weekly paper, which he found in
the reading room of the hotel:

"A DESPERATE YOUNG RUFFIAN.--We understand that a young boy
in the service of Mr. Nathan Badger, one of our most
respected citizens, has disappeared under very extraordinary
circumstances. T