I had no idea that assistance would come to me in
such an unexpected manner. But, say," and he leaned suddenly forward,
"now I understand something. Strange that it never occurred to me
before."

"What is it?"

Douglas then told about the mortgage on Professor Strong's place, and
how Stubbles was about to foreclose as he needed money. He said
nothing, however, about Ben's part in the affair with Nell. He could
not trust himself to mention this.

"Who is this Strong?" Garton asked. "The name sounds familiar. There
was a professor by that name at Passdale."

"He is the same man, but he is blind now, and helpless, depending upon
his daughter for support. He lost what money he had saved, so I
understand."

"You don't tell me that Professor Strong is living in Rixton!" Garton
exclaimed in astonishment. "Why, he was considered a very able man
when he was at Passdale I have heard a great deal about him. But how
did he come to lose his money?"

"He invested it, like so many other simpletons, in that Big Chief
mining concern. I did the same, and so lost what little I had."

"No, you haven't," and Garton picked up one of the letters by his side.
"I have good news for you and the professor. The Big Chief has revived
and is going stronger than ever. This is a letter I received to-day
telling me about it. I invested largely in that concern, and so am
greatly interested."

Douglas made no reply to this most gratifying information. His mind
had gone back to Rixton and the little cottage by the river-side. He
pictured to himself the expression upon Nell's face and the look of joy
in her eyes when she heard the good news. How he longed to start right
off and tell her. What a relief it would be to her to know that the
little place would be saved from Simon Stubbles' grasp, and that all
the gnawing financial cares would be ended. It seemed almost too good
to be true.

"How much did the professor invest?" Garton at length enquired.

"I do not know. But it must have been quite a sum. Anyway, it was his
all, and the failure meant so much to him and his daughters."

"He can sell now at a good profit, as the stock is higher than ever it
was before. You can tell him to come to me if he wishes to dispose of
his interest."

"I can hardly believe that what you have told me is true," Douglas
replied, "as it will mean so much for the Strongs. Simon Stubbles
won't be able to worry them any longer."

"Indeed he