"I feel better," he said.

"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Barclay. "Now, if you'll be kind
enough, leave the house, for I expect Ben back before long."

"And you don't want him to get hurt," laughed the tramp. "Well, I do
owe him a flogging for a trick he played on me."

"Oh, pray, go away!" said Mrs. Barclay, apprehensively. "I have given
you some supper, and that ought to satisfy you."

"I can't go away till I've talked to you a little on business."

"Business! What business can you have with me?"

"More than you think. You are the widow of John Barclay, ain't you?"

"Yes; did you know my husband?"

"Yes; that is, I saw something of him just before he died."

"Can you tell me anything about his last moments?" asked the widow,
forgetting the character of her visitor, and only thinking of her
husband.

"No, that isn't in my line. I ain't a doctor nor yet a minister. I
say, did he leave any money?"

"Not that we have been able to find out. He owned this hone, but left
no other property."