CHAPTER XVII.
A NEW FRIEND.
The day after this episode, Peter had the very unusual experience of a note by his morning's mail.

Except for his mother's weekly letter, it was the first he had received since Watts had sailed, two years before.
For the moment he thought that it must be from him, and the color came into his face at the mere thought that he would have news of--of--Watts.
But a moment's glance at the writing showed him he was wrong, and he tore the envelope with little interest in his face.

Indeed after he had opened it, he looked at his wall for a moment before he fixed his mind on it.
It contained a brief note, to this effect: "A recent trial indicates that Mr.Stirling needs neither praise not reward as incentives for the doing of noble deeds.
"But one who prefers to remain unknown cannot restrain her grateful thanks to Mr.Stirling for what he did; and being debarred from such acts herself, asks that at least she may be permitted to aid him in them by enclosing a counsel fee for 'the case of the tenement children of New York against the inhumanity of men's greed.' "September third." Peter looked at the enclosure, and found it was a check for five hundred dollars.

He laid it on his desk, and read the note over again.

It was beyond question written by a lady.