Mr. Vane exhibited the same silent stoicism on receiving the verdict of Dr. Harmon as he had shown from the first.  With the clew to Hilary’s life which Dr. Tredway had given him, the New York physician understood the case; one common enough in his practice in a great city where the fittest survive—­sometimes only to succumb to unexpected and irreparable blows in the evening of life.

On his return from seeing Dr. Harmon off Austen was met on the porch by Dr. Tredway.

“Your father has something on his mind,” said the doctor, “and perhaps it is just as well that he should be relieved.  He is asking for you, and I merely wished to advise you to make the conversation as short as possible.”

Austen climbed the stairs in obedience to this summons, and stood before his father at the bedside.  Hilary lay, back among the pillows, and the brightness of that autumn noonday only served to accentuate the pallor of his face, the ravages of age which had come with such incredible swiftness, and the outline of a once vigorous frame.  The eyes alone shone with a strange new light, and Austen found it unexpectedly difficult to speak.  He sat down on the bed and laid his hand on the helpless one that rested on the coverlet.

“Austen,” said Mr. Vane, “I want you to go to Fairview.”

His son’s hand tightened over his own.

“Yes, Judge.”

“I want you to go now.”

“Yes, Judge.”

“You know the combination of my safe at the office.  It’s never been changed since—­since you were there.  Open it.  You will find two tin boxes, containing papers labelled Augustus P. Flint.  I want you to take them to Fairview and put them into the hands of Mr. Flint himself.  I—­I cannot trust any one else.  I promised to take them myself, but—­Flint will understand.”

“I’ll go right away,” said Austen, rising, and trying to speak cheerfully.  “Mr. Flint was here early this morning—­inquiring for you.”

Hilary Vane’s lips trembled, and another expression came into his eyes.

“Rode down to look at the scrap-heap,—­did he?”

Austen strove to conceal his surprise at his father’s words and change of manner.

“Tredway saw him,” he said.  “I’m pretty sure Mr. Flint doesn’t feel that way, Judge.  He has taken your illness very much to heart, I know, and he left some fruit and flowers for you.”

“I guess his daughter sent those,” said Hilary.

“His daughter?” Austen repeated.

“If I didn’t think so,” Mr. Vane continued, “I’d send ’em back.  I never knew what she was until she picked me up and drove me down here.  I’ve always done Victoria an injustice.”

Austen walked to the door, and turned slowly.

“I’ll go at once, Judge,” he said.

In the kitchen he was confronted by Euphrasia.

“When is that woman going away?” she demanded.  “I’ve took care of Hilary Vane nigh on to forty years, and I guess I know as much about nursing, and more about Hilary, than that young thing with her cap and apron.  I told Dr. Tredway so.  She even came down here to let me know what to cook for him, and I sent her about her business.”