The lad was strong, hopeful, well-balanced in every respect and his presence was an admirable tonic to the almost morbid state of anxiety in which the squire had lived ever since his interview with Policeman Gall, two days before.

In the sunshine of John's young personality, fears grew small and hope grew big.

The ideas which had passed through Mr.Juxon's brain on the previous evening, just after Mr.Ambrose had warned him of Goddard's intentions, seemed now like the evil shadows of a nightmare.

All apprehension lest the convict should attempt to execute his threats disappeared like darkness before daylight, and in the course of an hour or two the squire found himself laughing and chatting with his guest as though there were no such things as forgery or convicts in the world.

The afternoon passed very pleasantly between the examination of Mr.Juxon's treasures and the conversation those objects elicited.