A steam engine was being erected, new machinery brought in, and he was away the greater part of his time superintending it.
One day at breakfast, a short time before all was in readiness for a start with the new plant, Mr.Mulready opened a letter directed in a sprawling and ill written hand which lay at the top of the pile by his plate.

Ned happened to notice his face, and saw the color fade out from it as he glanced at the contents.

The mouth remained as usual, set in a smile, but the rest of the face expressed agitation and fear.

The hand which held the letter shook.

Mrs.Mulready, whose eyes seldom left her husband's face when he was in the room, also noticed the change.
"Is anything the matter, William ?" "Oh! nothing," he said with an unnatural laugh, "only a little attempt to frighten me." "An attempt which has succeeded," Ned said to himself, "whatever it is." Mr.Mulready passed the letter over to his wife.