WYLDER'S HAJVD.
305
et, took his hat and cane — the day was fine — and
walked forth for Brandon and the Captain's study.
CHAPTER L.
A FRACAS IN THE LIBRARY.
It was still early in the day. Larcom received him
gravely in the hall. Captain Lake was at home, as usual,
up to one o'clock in the library — the most diligent ad-
ministrator that Brandon had perhaps ever known.
"Well, Larkin — letters. letters perpetually, you see.
Quite well, I hope? Won't you sit down — no bad news?
You look rather melancholy. Your other client is not
ill — nothing sad about Mark Wylder, I hope?"
"No — nothing sad, Captain Lake — nothing — but
a good deal that is strange."
"Oh, is there?" said Lake in his soft tones, leaning
forward in his easy chair, and looking on the shining
points of his boots.
"I have found out a thing, Captain Lake, which will
no doubt interest you as much as it does me. It will
lead, I think, to a much more exact guess about Mr.
Mark Wylder."
There was an emphasis in the attorney's speech which
was far from usual, and indicated something.
"Oh! you have? May one hear it?" said Lake, in
the same silken tone, and looking down, as before, on his
boots.
"I've discovered something about his letters," said the
attorney, and paused.