y, slipped from his
fingers, and fell upon the glowing coals--where it was instantly
consumed.

"How careless I am!" ejaculated Browning, but there was exultation in
the glance.

CHAPTER XLI

MR. BROWNING COMES TO TERMS

The destruction of the letter, and the open exultation of the man who
had in intention at least doubly wronged him, did not appear to dismay
Luke Walton. He sat quite cool and collected, facing Mr. Browning.
"Really, I don't see how this letter happened to slip from my hand,"
continued the philanthropist. "I am afraid you consider it
important."

"I should if it had been the genuine letter," said Luke.

"What!" gasped Browning.

"It was only a copy, as you will be glad to hear."

"Boy, I think you are deceiving me," said Browning, sharply.

"Not at all! I left the genuine letter in the hands of my lawyer."

"Your lawyer?"

"Yes. I have put this matter in the hands of Mr. Jordan, of this
city."

Mr. Browning looked very much disturbed. Mr. Jordan was a well-known
and eminent attorney. Moreover, he was opposed in politics to the
would-be mayor. If his opponent should get hold of this discreditable
chapter in his past history, his political aspirations might as well
be given up. Again he asked himself, "How much of the story does this
boy know?"

"If you are employing a lawyer," he said, after a pause, "I don't
understand why you came to me for advice."

"I thought you might be interested in the matter," said Luke,
significantly.

"Why should I be interested in your affairs? I have so many things to
think of that really I can't take hold of anything new."

"I will tell you, sir. You are the man who received money in trust
from my dying father. I look to you to restore it with interest."

"How dare you insinuate any such thing?" demanded Browning, furiously.
"Do you mean to extort money by threats?"

"No, sir, I only ask for justice."

"There is nothing to connect me with the matter. According to your
letter it was a Thomas Butler who received the money you refer to."

"True, and your name at that time was Thomas Butler."

Mr. Browning turned livid. The net seemed to be closing about him.

"What proof have you of this ridiculous assertion?" he demanded.

"The testimony of one who knew you then and now--Mr. King, who keeps a
cigar stand at the Prairie Hotel."

"Ha! traitor!" ejaculated Browning, apostrophizing the absent King.

"This is a conspiracy!" he said. "King ha