"I presume you are right. I was recommended to come here by a friend."

"Ah!" commented James Sinclair, beginning to think he was right, though
it seemed to him very strange that Mr. Wainwright should have selected
so young a messenger. "I should like to see New York once more."

"Who wouldn't?" interposed Bowman impatiently. "In New York you can
_live._ Here in St. Victor one can only vegetate."

"Don't you expect to go back to New York some day, Mr. Sinclair?" asked
Fred.

"I don't know; I hope so."

"When our business in Canada is completed," said Bowman, "we shall
probably both go back."

"Are you going to sleep here to-night, Bowman?" asked Sinclair.

"No, I think not. I have taken a room in the hotel."

"You must do as you like, of course, but it is lonely for me. Besides I
might need assistance."

"Let the girl stay here, then. I should make a miserable sick nurse. I
will ask young Fenton, here, if it is reasonable to expect me to bury
myself in such a cheerless place when it will do no good."

Fred was disgusted with the man's selfishness. "If I had a friend
sick," he said, "I think I would be quite willing to keep him company."

"You say so now, but wait till the time comes."

"Your words, Mr. Fenton," said Sinclair, "embolden me to ask you a
favor."

"Name it," said Fred, in a tone of kindly encouragement.

"I spend all my time alone, except when Claudine is ministering to my
wants. Your time is hardly likely to be very much occupied in this dull
place. Can't you spare me an hour or two at your convenience during the
day?"

"You have promised to go hunting with me tomorrow," interrupted Bowman.

"That is true. I will go with you in the forenoon, and in the afternoon
I will call on Mr. Sinclair."

Bowman shrugged his shoulders.

"It is a rash promise. You will be sorry for having made it."

"I will risk that," answered Fred.

Sinclair gave him a grateful glance. The promise cheered him, and
kindled hopes in his breast. Now he would have a chance of learning,
when alone with Fred, whether he came as a messenger from Mr.
Wainwright. If so, and through his means he could make restitution and
regain his place and lost character, he would still have something to
live for. He execrated his folly in weakly submitting to the guidance
of Paul Bowman, and for having taken that first step in crime, which is
so difficult to retrace.

"Don't forget your promise," he said earnestly as Fred rose to