attesting your
identity."

"Not only signed, but written by him."

"I should like to see that paper. Have you got it with you?"

"No, but I can lay my hands upon it immediately."

"Then bring it to me at the Burnet House this afternoon, at three
o'clock. I will be in the reading-room of the hotel."

"I will bring it."

The two then separated.

Gilbert went immediately, returned to his place of business, resolved
to inform Mr. Ferguson, whom he looked upon as a good friend, that his
uncle was found.

CHAPTER XIX.

DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

"Your uncle in the city?" said Mr. Ferguson, in surprise.

"Yes, sir. I met him, only a short time since, on Vine street."

"How did you know him?"

"By the scar on his cheek. But I think I would have known him at any
rate. I have a good memory for faces."

"How did he receive you?" asked Mr. Ferguson, with curiosity.

"He didn't seem very glad to see me," answered Gilbert, smiling. "He
insisted that his nephew is dead, and called me an impostor."

"He must have seen the resemblance between you and his brother. You
will make just such a looking man as your father."

"I hope I sha'n't look like my uncle."

"Your father and your uncle did not resemble each other. There might
have been a slight family likeness, but it was very slight."

"So much the better."

"You don't think you shall like your uncle?"

"I am sure I shall not. First, he cheated me out of my property, and
now, because I claim it, he calls me an impostor."

"So that was the way the interview terminated, was it?"

"Not exactly. When I told him I had old Jacob's confession, and
threatened to put it into the hands of a lawyer, he said he would like
to see it, and asked me to call with it at the Burnet House this
afternoon."

"Humph!" said Mr. Ferguson, thoughtfully. "Did you promise to do it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I will give you a piece of advice."

"What is it, sir?"

"_Don't carry the original paper with you._"

"Why not, sir?"

"It is best to be on the safe side. Your uncle is an unscrupulous man.
This paper is of the utmost importance to you, since it proves your
identity, and lays bare the conspiracy against you. Just in proportion
as it is valuable to you, it is also valuable to your uncle."

"I understand," said Gilbert, nodding. "You think he has laid a trap
for me, in order to get hold of the paper."

"It looks very much like it. At any rate, it is best to be on your
guar