CHAPTER XXIII.
FAMILY HISTORY I was watching Mr.Lindsey pretty closely, being desirous of seeing how he took to Mr.Gavin Smeaton, and what he made of him, and I saw him prick his ears at this announcement; clearly, it seemed to suggest something of interest to him.
"Aye ?" he exclaimed.

"Your father hailed from Berwick, or thereabouts?
You don't know exactly from where, Mr.Smeaton ?" "No, I don't," replied Smeaton, promptly.

"The truth is, strange as it may seem, Mr.Lindsey, I know precious little about my father, and what I do know is mostly from hearsay.

I've no recollection of having ever seen him.

And--more wondrous still, you'll say--I don't know whether he's alive or dead!" Here, indeed, was something that bordered on the mysterious; and Mr.
Lindsey and myself, who had been dealing in that commodity to some considerable degree of late, exchanged glances.