“My story might seem strange to you,” Mr. Westcote began.  “In fact, it has always seemed strange to me, and sometimes I think that I shall wake up and find it nothing more than a dream.  Well, without going into details, which would not interest you, it is sufficient to say that I came to this country over two years ago on one of the strangest commissions ever given to man.  I was handed two sealed papers numbered 1 and 2, with strict orders to break the seal of paper Number 1 only upon my arrival in Canada, and then I should find my instructions in reference to Number 2.”

“What were the instructions?” Lois eagerly asked, as Mr. Westcote paused for a few seconds as if considering how to proceed.

“That will come later,” he replied.  “I must tell you about Number 1 first.  You promised to be patient, you know.”

“Excuse me, I know I did,” Lois smilingly confessed, as she glanced at Margaret, whose eyes were twinkling with amusement.

“I was naturally anxious to know what my orders were,” Mr. Westcote continued, “and shortly after my arrival here, I broke the seal of Number 1.  Then I learned that I was to search for an old man who was living in this country under the name of David Findley.  No effort or expense was to be spared.  Money would be provided without stint through one of the city banks.  When the old man was found he was to be kept in complete ignorance of the fact that I had been searching for him.  The hard part was that I should undertake to assist him in such a way that he should not have the slightest idea that anything was being done on his behalf.  There was not to be the least semblance of charity, and whatever was done for him had to appear to be the natural payment for value received.  If the old man had any special hobby or scheme, no matter how wild, so long as it was legitimate, I was to undertake to see that it should be carried out, no matter what the expense.  If the scheme proved feasible, so much the better, and strict business methods were to be used to make it pay.  But if not, the old man’s every lawful wish was to be gratified.  One of the strict instructions was that he should be induced as soon as possible to make his will.  This was to be done in such a way as to arouse no suspicion, but that he should consider it as a matter of business detail, so that his fond scheme, or whatever it might be, would not suffer in case of his death.

“You can readily understand, Miss Sinclair, the magnitude of the undertaking.  At first I thought that I had been made the victim of a madman, and was tempted to return to England at once, and have nothing to do with the affair.  But the amount of money placed at my disposal in the bank settled all scruples and started me forth upon my strange quest.  I even began to enjoy the adventure of the whole thing, and the mystery attached to it lured me on.  I searched far and wide for David Findley and at last, owing to an accident to my auto, located