Overtop performed the difficult task with success.  He found Pet not altogether unprepared for the discovery.  She recalled to mind several conversations and significant glances between Mr. and Mrs. Minford (the latter died in Pet’s twelfth year), in which there was an evident allusion to the mystery of her birth.  She remembered how often persons had expressed surprise that she did not resemble her supposed father or mother in the least.  She remembered that, on those occasions, Mrs. Minford had been much disconcerted; and Mr. Minford, remarking that it was a freak of nature, he presumed, had always seemed desirous of changing the subject.  She remembered that this strange want of resemblance to either of her reputed parents had often been a puzzle to her before Mrs. Minford’s death.

With regard to Lucy Anserhoff, and the causes which prompted her to the abduction of the child.  Overtop said nothing; because, among other reasons, Marcus, true to his solemn pledge, had told him nothing.  He explained that the crime had been committed by a person who had formerly been a servant in her father’s family; and that she had made full confession to her uncle, only on condition that her name should never be mentioned to any human being.

Mrs. Crull, who to a practical mind united a love of the romantic and marvellous, accepted Overtop’s proofs even more readily than Pet.  She said she had observed, at the inquest, a wonderful resemblance between Mr. Wilkeson and her darling, especially in the nose and eyes.  Overtop, being appealed to to mark the likeness, took an oracular three-quarters view of the young lady, and said that the word “niece” was written on her face.

“He’s your uncle, my dear,” said Mrs. Crull.  “There a’n’t no doubt o’ that.  But don’t forget that I’m your mother, now.”

Pet kissed Mrs. Crull, and placed her little hand confidingly in the large, ineradicably red hand of her protectress.

“Now that Marcus Wilkeson stands in the relation of uncle to you,” said Overtop, “there is no harm in telling you something.”  He then broke to her the secret of her uncle’s important aid in the affair of the “Cosmopolitan Window Fastener”—­the sole credit of which had always been attributed by Pet and Mrs. Crull to Wesley Tiffles and Overtop, agreeably to the wish of Marcus.

“What a fool I’ve been,” said Mrs. Crull, “to feel the least doubt about this excellent man!  It was very weak of me, I s’pose, Mr. Overtop; but I don’t mind tellin’ you, that, after what had ’curred, I thought that Mr. Wilkeson’s quaintance with Pet had better be stopped.  I take all the ‘sponsibility of it.  We must make it up, by thinkin’ all the more of him now.”

At the suggestion of Overtop, a servant, with Mrs. Crull’s carriage, was now sent for Marcus, and soon returned with him.

When he entered the room, Pet rose, and walked toward him, half hesitating.  Her face was very pale, and her lips quivered.  “My dear uncle!” she said, and turned her sweet face up to be kissed.