“Is this Professor Andrew Kelton?  I am to give you this letter and wait for an answer.”

Professor Kelton sat down at his desk and slit the envelope.  The letter covered only one page and he read slowly to the end.  He then re-read the whole carefully, and placed the sheet on his desk and laid a weight upon it before he faced the messenger.  He passed his hand across his forehead, stroked his beard, and said, speaking slowly,—­

“You were to bring this letter and bear back an answer to the writer, but you were instructed not to discuss it in any way or disclose the name or the residence of the person who sent you.  So much I learn from the letter itself.”

“Yes, sir.  I know nothing of the contents of the letter.  I was told to deliver it and to carry back the answer.”

“Very good, sir.  You have fulfilled your mission.  Please note carefully what I say.  The reply is No.  There must be no mistake about that,—­do you understand?”

“I am to report that you answered ’No’.”

“That is correct, sir,” replied Professor Kelton quietly.  The young man rose, and the Professor followed him to the door.

“I thank you for your trouble; it has been a warm day, the warmest of the season.  Good-afternoon, sir.”

He watched the young fellow’s prompt exit through the gate in the hedge to the Lane and then returned to the library, where he re-read the letter.  Now that he was alone he relaxed somewhat; his manner expressed mingled trepidation and curiosity.  The letter was type-written and was neither dated nor signed.  He carried it to the window and held it against the sunlight, but there was not even a watermark by which it might be traced.  Nor was there anything in the few straightforward sentences that proved suggestive.  The letter ran:—­

Your granddaughter has reached an age at which her maintenance and education require serious consideration.  A friend who cannot be known in the matter wishes to provide a sum of money to be held and expended by you for her benefit.  No obligations of any sort will be incurred by you in accepting this offer.  It is hardly conceivable that you will decline it, though it is quite optional with you to do so.  It will not, however, be repeated.

Kindly designate by a verbal “Yes” or “No” to the bearer whether you accept or decline.  The messenger is a stranger to the person making the offer and the contents of this communication are unknown to him.  If you wish to avail yourself of this gift, the amount will be paid in cash immediately, and it is suggested that you refrain from mentioning the matter to your granddaughter in any way.

Professor Kelton had given his answer to the messenger unhesitatingly, and the trouble reflected in his dark eyes was not due, we may assume, to any regret for his negative reply, but to the jangling of old, harsh chords of memory.  He crossed and recrossed the